You did not hang Afzal: Bal Thackeray’s reproach to Pratibha days before he died

Desai was in Pimpri-Chinchwad for the release of a book,Ankush,by Shiv Sena corporator Seema Savale.

The former President had gone to see the ailing Sena chief in Mumbai just a few days before he died. Desai was present at the time. “When Patil met Balasaheb,the latter regretted that the former President did not two things he wanted her to do. After Balasaheb spoke,the former President tried to give excuses,such as that the file regarding the Afzal Guru execution had not been received by her office. However,Balasaheb raised his hand and gestured that he does not want to hear all these excuses. In a way,he wanted to say that the former President should not give out excuses…He did not say anything after that,” said Desai.

The Shiv Sena,though part of the NDA,had extended support to UPA candidate Pratibha Patil when she contested the Presidential election.

The Sena had backed her as she was the first Maharashtrian to become President of the country,Sena leaders said.

However,the Sena chief apparently did not regret supporting Patil’s candidature though she did fulfil these two wishes. “Balasaheb did not say he regretted extending support to her,” Desai said. Incidentally,Afzal Guru was hanged to death soon after Thackeray passed away.

Shiv Sena leaders said that Bal Thackeray had repeatedly demanded the hanging of Afzal Guru in his speeches,and even through Shiv Sena mouthpiece,Saamna.