Display of camaraderie by bickering allies at Thackeray memorial event raises eyebrows
It was a rare display of camaraderie by bickering allies Shiv Sena and BJP at the site of Balasaheb Thackeray National Memorial here on Wednesday, where both Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray jointly took part in rituals and performed arati (worship) before the late leader's photograph on Wednesday. Tuesday's state Cabinet decision to sanction Rs 100 crore for the proposed Thackeray memorial (erstwhile Mumbai Mayor Bungalow) was seen in political circles here as an attempt to reach out to the ally ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
Both the leaders had a closed-door meeting in presence of a few other dignitaries after performing Ganesh Poojan. Mumbai Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, trustee of the memorial committee Shashi Prabhu, and Abha Lamba, an expert in the field of heritage structures, were also present.
Both BJP and Sena leaders are considering Wednesday's function as another step forward towards forging an alliance for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. A Sena leader on condition of anonymity said, "state Cabinet sanctioning Rs 100 crore for the memorial and the Chief Minister gracing today's function tells a lot. Aage Aage Dekho Hota Hai Kya...'
Both the leaders came out from the meeting and the documents pertaining to Mayor's bungalow were formally handed over to the Balasaheb Thackeray memorial Trust president Uddhav Thackeray. BMC Commissioner Ajoy Mehta, mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar handed over these documents in the presence of CM Fadnavis.
Both the leaders posed for photographs together in front of a banner of the proposed memorial, though there was no shaking of hands.
Meanwhile, the Sena, in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana', continued its anti-BJP tirade, saying Bal Thackeray was of the view that only 'Hindutva' can save the country and this thought of his led the BJP to come to power. "The present condition and the path of the country is not right. Today, the nation needs to be ruled by 'men'," it said.
PM May Attend
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be invited for the formal 'bhoomi pujan' ceremony, a source said.
- With the modalities for handing over the land earmarked for the project being over, the construction of the memorial is expected to begin from next month.
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