‘It hurts to see him cough during speech’

They have seen Bal Thackeray year on year but on Wednesday it pained them to see an ageing and tired supremo struggling at a speech, of which he was a past-master.
Some of the Shiv Sainiks even said that he should now stop coming on public fora.

Sugriv Rai, a middle-aged Shiv Sainik, said, “It hurts badly to hear him cough during the speech. He should now leave it to the next generation and the shiv sainiks and avoid coming in public.” The Sainik from Borivili, who has moved to the city from Uttar Pradesh, felt that senior Thackeray’s words have always been an inspiration to him.

Thackeray senior was seen coughing several times during his 30-minute speech and
was offered water a couple of times. 

Sarita Palande, who had come from Thane to see her supremo, said, “A word and glimpse of Sena Supremo is inspiration and energy for us for the entire year to come. I was more curious this year as he rarely makes a public appearance and his age may not allow him to speak next year.” She has been attending the Dassera rally for more than two decades.

A youth from Suzgaon in Pune had come with his 60 other Shiv Sainiks. He said that the group had come to hear only Bal Thackeray.