MUMBAI: Long-simmering differences between the Thackeray cousins came to the fore on Sunday, with Raj leaving his uncle’s funeral procession mid-way in a huff after a spat with Uddhav.
A key MNS functionary said his party chief was deliberately kept away from the family rituals. “Rajsaheb was not allowed to be a pallbearer, which is his undeniable right as he is Balasaheb’s nephew.”That he was not to be one of the pallbearers was conveyed to Raj when he reached Matoshree earlier in the day. “He was told that Shiv Sena leaders and deputy leaders would take turns to carry the casket,” the MNS functionary said. “This was Matoshree’s way of rebuffing Rajsaheb and reminding him that while he may be a family member, in the Sena, which he quit in 2005, he is still persona non-grata.”
As the funeral procession made its way to Shivaji Park, Raj walked ahead, hoping that Uddhav would join him. “The cousins were supposed to walk together, preceding the cortege,” the MNS worker said.
However, Uddhav scrambled on to the truck carrying Bal Thackeray’s body, leaving Raj to walk alone. A miffed Raj hopped into his vehicle and returned to his residence.
Brothers’ spat sign of things to come?
The spat between Uddhav and Raj on Sunday, even as Bal Thackeray’s funeral was under way, is a clear indication that the possibility of a thaw between the cousins is bleak, say political observers.
Left to walk alone in the funeral procession, Raj Thackeray abandoned the course mid-way and returned home late afternoon. On reaching his residence, Raj shut himself in his study and watched the funeral procession on TV, it is reliably learned. He told mediapersons who called him to know his whereabouts that he would be at Shivaji Park for the cremation. Raj’s wife, Sharmila, though, accompanied the cortege with Uddhav, his wife Rashmi and their children.
Later in the evening, he attended the final rites along with Uddhav and his brother Jaidev at Shivaji Park.
Raj was made aware of the lurking hostility in Matoshree earlier last week when he called on the fast-sinking Sena patriarch. “Things became immensely embarrassing for Rajsaheb. He left Matoshree and sat in his car which was parked nearby for nearly two hours. He politely turned down Smitatai’s (Thackeray) suggestion that he should retire to her room in Matoshree,” said an MNS corporator.
Warring Thackeray cousins unite in grief, but briefly
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