After a gap of almost a year, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray is all set to address the party's traditional Dussehra rally on October 9. The 81-year-old Thackeray has stopped attending Sena rallies owing to ill-health since last year.The Sena chief's video recorded message was shown at the party's foundation day and also at a gathering of veteran Shiv Sainiks earlier this year.This would be the 43rd Dussehra rally of the Sena. The rally is being held at Shivaji Park in central Mumbai and the venue hasn't changed over the years, with the faithful cadre converging at the sprawling ground to hear the cartoonist-turned `Hinduhridaysamarat' (emperor of Hindu hearts) hold forth on a variety of issues.Thackeray's son and Sena executive president Uddhav, who is now de facto managing the party affairs, will also address the rally, Sena sources said.The senior Thackeray is expected to touch on the overture made by former Sena leader Chhagan Bhujbal in withdrawing a defamation case against him and also dwell on former Sena leaders Narayan Rane and Raj Thackeray, the sources said.Rane is launching a Marathi newspaper 'Prahar' on Dussehra, in presence of NCP chief Sharad Pawar. The daily is expected to take on the Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana', which has been critical of the former Shiv sainik.Rubbishing nephew and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Raj Thackeray's "hollow sympathy" for him over the Lok Sabha's privileges committee summons issue, Thackeray had recently told his nephew that he need not bother. "We are competent to tackle the case. You should not worry," Thackeray said after Raj threatened not to allow officials and people's representatives from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to enter Mumbai if the committee summons Thackeray in a breach of privilege case."The MNS people are now worrying about my age and health. But health is the same as it was when Raj left the Sena," Thackeray had said, rebuking Raj.The Sena chief compared the pain and anguish caused to him by blood relations' to Shivaji Maharaj's struggles with his kin."Shivaji's own people back stabbed him. I am also sharing the same fate so much that there is no space on my back to accept further backstabbing," he said."Raj is now showing his love for Marathi and dedication for me. Where was his love and dedication when he left the Sena, the cohesive force of Marathi people and formed his own party?" the Sena chief had said.With Lok Sabha elections scheduled within months and the Maharashtra Assembly polls a year away, Thackeray's speech would be a keenly-watched event in state politics.
