We protected Muslims,says Bal Thackeray

The octogenarian addressed the rally at the Central ground,which overflowed its 23,000 capacity as crowds parked themselves on streets alongside.

In his 35-minute speech,he challenged Pawar and Narayan Rane to exchange assets with him. “Then we will talk.Where is that Narayan (Industries Minister Narayan Rane)? Have you shut down your mental hospital? I also dare him to declare his assets,even benami ones and then compare. I have his entire kundali…hotels in the name of his wife,” said Thackeray.

In a diversion from the party’s apparent anti-Muslim stand,Thackeray said: “I was never against Muslims. We protected them. Women Sainiks fought to save Muslim colonies. We fought only against those Muslims who came against us..” Taking on Chavan who had recently said Thackeray would become inconsequential after the civic elections,he said,“He should hold a rally to match this and then talk. They are roaming streets,barking,” he remarked in his usual caustic manner.

While Thackeray Senior dared his estranged nephew and MNS chief Raj Thackeray to win seats in the corporation before questioning what the Shiv Sena had done,he said,“Why are you making such taunts? If you have the guts,dare to win. Many have taken up cudgels against me but they have been vanquished..” He asked the crowd,“What has got into his head? Was it the gathering and adulation? But did he get the same crowds?”

Apparently targeting the MNC chief over his praise for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi,Thackeray Senior said it was he who had told BJP leader L K Advani to nurture Modi to ensure the party’s control over Gujarat and that the Gujarati community had always supported the Sena.

He,however,seemed to be in agreement with his nephew’s criticism of the court for denying permission to hold a rally at Shivaji Park. “I did not go to courts for grounds… Courts give weird decisions. Do they not know what decisions have to be given? We get Shivaji Park as a ritual but there is decibel restrain. What decibel? What is the use of the ground? I do not like this ban,” he said.