The Hindu : National : Let leaders of Maharashtra unite: Thackeray

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 12, 2005

National

National

Let leaders of Maharashtra unite: Thackeray

Special Correspondent

Makes overture to Pawar, calls him by his pet name "Sharadbabu"

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee releasing a book, `Bal Keshav Thackeray A Photo Biography'. Also in picture are Sena chief Bal Thackeray and NCP leader Sharad Pawar. — PHOTO: VIVEK BENDRE

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray on Wednesday extended an olive branch to NCP leader and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.

Mr. Thackeray was speaking at a function where the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, released a book on his life, `Bal Keshav Thackeray: A Photobiography.'

He said he had no personal political ambition but the country's situation was critical and if leaders of Maharashtra came together they could lead the country `out of the woods.' Historically, the Marathas had suffered more because of their internal squabbles, he reminded Mr. Pawar calling him by his pet name, "Sharadbabu."

Mr. Thackeray seemed to be taking the cue from Babasaheb Purandare, a popular historian of Chhatrapati Shivaji, who had earlier hailed the appearance, on the same dais, of Mr. Thackeray, Mr. Pawar, Mr. Vajpayee and George Fernandes on the occasion of the book's release and wondered aloud if they could also join hands.

But at that time Mr. Pawar rigorously shook his head and that was not noticed by Mr. Thackeray. The Union Agriculture Minister spoke thereafter but he did not even refer to Mr. Purandare's advice.

However, Mr. Thackeray underscored the point as a subsequent speaker. Mr. Vajpayee who was the last speaker also ignored the matter like Mr. Pawar. He advised Mr. Thackeray to write a novel and describe the various situations he had passed through since he had decided not to write his autobiography.

The `photobiography' is a collection of over 800 pictures of Mr. Thackeray, right from his childhood and covers almost all aspects of his public life and the growth of his party, the Shiv Sena.

Different speakers, including Mr. Pawar paid rich tributes to Mr. Thackeray and praised him for always sticking to his guns. Among them were superstar, Amitabh Bachchan and melody queen, Lata Mangeshkar.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National