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Public figures, especially politicians, speak with
two tongues. This is why reading an interview of any
public figure after a gap of years makes an interesting
reading. Here is an excerpt from an interview Shiv Sena
Supremo Bal Thackeray gave in Sept 1994. A lot of water
has flown in Mithi River since, and in fact the mirror
has dried up but the issue talked about in this interview
continues to haunt Shiv Sena.
There is a lot of controversy over who is
going to succeed you. Your son, UddhavThackeray, your
nephew Raj Thackeray or any other seasoned politician
in your party?
Why are you asking me this question? Have you asked
this question to Narasimha Rao or Sharad Pawar? Why
this who and what? There is so much population and you
are still worried who will be the next PM or the CM?
You must be grooming someone. As the SS chief
you must have someone in mind?
I need not groom anybody. I know what you are implying.
Why don't you have an open mind instead of saying your
son and your brother's son? If they come up I cannot
stop them. But it is not in my gharana that my father
developed me and I developed my sons. There is no kind
of dynasty in my house. Well, I am not going to stop
my son if he develops himself (into a leader). How can
I? I am a cartoonist. I took years to develop that art.
My nephew has also developed that art. You will not
call it gbaranshahi. You will ask a doctor, is your
son following your profession. Why don't you pose this
question to me?
Well, I am asking you whether your son will
follow in your foot steps?
You will get the answer. What is the urgency? It is
for the people to decide who they want, not me.
You say it is not dynasty rule. So anyone outside
your family can also take over the mantle?
Oh yes, he can, he can. Why not? But for that I need
not die!
Are you planning to retire from politics?
The time has not come yet. I may retire anytime, even
now. I do not care for anything. I have decided not
to do two things in my life: never write my autobiography
and never contest elections. I don't want to become
a PM like Sharad Pawar.
So you may or may not retire?
It is not a question of may not. I may retire also.
But why this question? Where is the question of retiring
till a man can work and his health permits it? The question
comes when a person becomes physically unfit. Much more
depends on your physical and mental fitness. There are
many, many unfit persons in the central government who
are holding important portfolios. Why should I name
my successor? What is the need? I can't understand.
How dare you ask for my retirement?
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