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Meenatai had held the Sena together

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Date: 2006-7-10

Late Meenatai ThackerayWhen Meenatai Thackeray died in 1996 due to a heart attack at the Thackerays farmhouse at Karjat, several Shiv Sainiks felt they had lost their own mother.

Many believed she was the force behind Sena chief Bal Thackeray. Sainiks say Meenatai treated every one like family.

Even after he quit the Sena over differences with Thackeray, Chhagan Bhujbal held Meenatai in high esteem. Bhujbal still remembers how he took Meenatai to a doctor after she slipped and fell at Prabhadevis Kohinoor Hotel.

She was stepping out of a small function that Manohar Joshi had organised, when the accident took place.

Bhujbal immediately took her to a doctor, without informing Thackeray, who was also present at the function. Even though he was told about the incident two hours later, Thackeray found nothing unusual about it.

Many believe the Senas decline started after her death. Meenatai held the family together and ensured there was no injustice done to anyone.

Every time Thackeray insulted any member of his inner circle, Meenatai would soothe his nerves and ensure that he stayed on in the party. She did not interfere with Thackerays politics, but brought that homely touch to party affairs, said sources.

So disturbed was the Leader of Opposition Ramdas Kadam after her death, that he stopped celebrating Ganesh festival in his usual grand manner in Kandivli.

Why should I celebrate when my biggest admirer is not there to see it? he said and toned down the lakhs spent on decorations. After she died, Thackeray famously said he did not believe in God anymore and cried like a child next to her body.Meenatai was divine

They may not be Sena sympathisers, but they are unified in their condemnation of the desecration

While I wholeheartedly condemn the desecration of Mas (Meenatai Thackeray) statue, I do not condone the violence. Maharashtra Navnirmaan Sena will not support acts of violence in the name of a woman who was divine.

Raj ThackerayPresident, MNS, and Meenatais nephew
Meenatai was a very respected lady. In 1988-89, I visited the Thackeray home and I remember Meenatai offering me a cola. I had told Balasaheb she was a wonderful person. People are blaming me for the incident, but I would not respect myself if I had committed such a deed. I condemn the incident strongly. I was in Kolkata when the incident took place.

Abu AzmiPresident, Samajwadi Party Mumbai
We condemn the incident strongly. The miscreants should be punished as per the law of the land. We do not support any kind of violence.

Sohail LokadiaGeneral secretary of Raza Academy
Yeh poori ghatna ek sochi samjhi saazish hai. Some people do not want a peaceful Maharashtra. There will be more attempts to disrupt peace, and the people along with the government should always be alert.

Mehmood Dariyabadi
Secretary of the Ullema Council

Ojas Mehta