- by Parinda Bureau, December 30, 2005, 12: 15 IST

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?