Shiv Sainiks will decide on Bal Thackeray's memorial: Uddhav

Appealing for restrain over the debate on erecting a memorial for his late father and Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, party executive president Uddhav Thackeray today said, the decision in this regard will be taken by lakhs of Sainiks. Sayli Udas Mankikar reports.

Following a huge hue and cry from residents over construction of a memorial for late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray at Shivaji Park - a public recreation ground, his son and Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said it was not the time to argue over that issue but added that it will be the Sainiks who will take a call over the memorial.

File-photo-Shiv-Sena-supremo-Bal-Thackeray-attends-Maharashtra-Day-celebrations-with-his-son-Uddhav-Thackeray-in-Mumbai-AP

On Monday, Shiv Sena's senior leader Manohar Joshi demanded to the government for a memorial to be built at Shivaji Park at the site he was cremated in the glory of the Sena leader. The said site is between the Shivaji Maharaj memorial and the cricket pitch leased out to the Municipal sports club.

“This is not the time to argue over the memorial issue. The Thackeray family is in great grief having suffered a huge loss. Why should this debate arise even when the Sena family is still grieving?” he questioned.

He requested people raising the issue of Shivaji memorial to restrain themselves and understand the state of mind of the Thackeray family.

He however went on to clarify that the memorial will be a decision left to the Sainiks.

However, at the Shivaji Park ground, there is already makeshift memorial in place where an urn filled with his mortal remains has been placed.

The site near the Shivaji Maharaj statue has a huge pandal like barricaded structure with a brick stage in between where he was cremated. There is an entry and exit gate where Sainiks were seen paying their respects to the Sena leader.