Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray on Thursday said he did not write the infamous editorial in Saamna on October 24 which said: “I never expected that the Maharashtrians, for whom the Sena worked for 44 years, will ignore the Sena in the election and stab us in the back.”
Clad in his stereotyped white dress, Thackeray visited the Shiv Sena headquarters at Shivaji Park after three years. More than 200 party activists welcomed him by shouting slogans and lighting firecrackers. Police had to resort to a mild lathi-charge to disperse them.
Addressing the party’s newly elected MLAs at Sena Bhavan, Thackeray said, “I did not say Maharashtrians stabbed the Sena in the back. I will never say so.” He also tried to boost the morale of party workers. “I have seen many ups and downs in life,” he said.
“One should not feel depressed but taste the chutney of defeat so that he can achieve victory. When you have the power of the moon [support of the people], there will be high tide,” he said.
Appreciating son and heir apparent Uddhav’s work, he said, “I have gained this position because of your support. Uddhav is doing a good job. We have to go forward. I remember I had blackened the English signboards on the way to Shiv Sena Bhavan some years ago. So do not worry about what others are doing.”
He advised partymen not to worry about what the media is saying. “[Journalist] P Sainath has thrown light on the media’s recent functioning. During the Emergency, I said I will support the Emergency if the government works for the people. I also made it clear that if the government ignored development, I would oppose the Emergency. But the media only highlighted the fact that I supported the Emergency. So do not care what they say.”
Thackeray flayed leaders of his party for blaming one another after the defeat. “Do not get involved in mudslinging. I will not tolerate this. If anybody wants to leave, he should do it now.
