Forget Shivaji Park, let govt find memorial location: Thackerays

Members of the Shiv Sena appear to be divided on the issue of a Bal Thackeray memorial at Shivaji Park. Sayli Udas Mankikar reports.

Senior leaders in the Shiv Sena including former chief minister Manohar Joshi and member of Parliament Sanjay Raut have made vociferous demands for a memorial at the park right from the day the Sena chief passed away.

HT Image

Uddhav Thackeray, however, might have other ideas.

"Everyone in the Thackeray family including Uddhavji feels that a memorial for Balasaheb should befit his stature as a national leader. They are hoping the government can end this dilemma by announcing a location where a memorial can be build," said a senior Sena leader who is close to Uddhav.

Joshi had earlier created a flutter when he said that nobody could stop the Sena from building a memorial at Shivaji Park. Now other Sena leaders have said that the park may not be the right place for the memorial at all. Instead, they are hoping the government can identify a space, preferably in Mumbai, where they can build a larger-than-life museum, which details the Sena chief's life and the history of the party. Shivaji Park does not have the pace for something like this, the party member added.

Another leader close to Uddhav said Sainiks are merely making emotional statements about the issue, but it is for the government to take initiative, speak with Uddhav and decide on the course of action.

The comments made by Joshi and Raut have not gone down too well in the Thackeray home, sources said. "Uddhavji has requested all of us [party members] to keep mum on the issue and let time take its course. He has yet to come to terms with the death of Balasaheb and is disturbed that the issue of the memorial has attracted so much controversy," a leader said.