Thackeray turns 71, quietly

MUMBAI, January 23: Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray today celebrated his 71st birthday in a low-key manner as has been the case for the past two years, since the death of his wife Meenatai Thackeray.

Rather than accept birthday greetings from the well-wishers who flocked at his residence for the event, the Sena leader chose to leave early today for Khopoli after a small private affair with close family members. “He will be spending some time at a Vridhashram (old age home) and attending other functions,” said his son and senior Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray who met the visitors on his father’s behalf. Evidently, Thackeray’s recent announcement in the party organ Saamna that he will not entertain any visitors on his birthday had failed to dampen the enthusiasm of his party workers. Hundreds of them gathered at the supremo’s Matoshree residence to offer their wishes. “In the old days, thousands of Sainiks would throng Kala Nagar to greet Balasaheb and receive his ashirwad,” said a Sena Bhavan spokesman.

Banners strung on the gates of the building carried messages from various shakas greeting Thackeray. Some of these attempted to portray Thackeray as a world leader — Vishwahriday Samrat — a marked transformation from his earlier avatar as Hinduhriday Samrat. Sainiks from certain parts of the state came accompanied by brass bands playing latest Bollywood tunes in and around Kala Nagar. But their numbers were limited, police officials said. Many visitors were carrying bouquets and a saffron money box was kept in a corner of Thackeray’s house to accept donations and letters greeting the Sena chief.

When asked whether the celebrations violated the model code of conduct in view of the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, Uddhav Thackeray said, “We’ve been celebrating his birthday every year in the same fashion. The code of conduct has nothing to do with his birthday celebrations”.