बालासाहेब ठाकरे की असीम लोकप्रियता क्यों ?

With Malice To None

• 71 Posts
• 29 Comments

बालासाहेब ठाकरे कि असीम लोकप्रियता एक पहेली है .
Today when I saw the crowd that collected on way for funeral of Bal Thackeray , I was reminded of only two crowds of similar strength on death of leaders . One was when Nehru died and other was when Shastri died .
Bal Thackeray was not in power and was no saint. He was in no position to oblige any one . The masses that poured on road were truly mourning the death of their leader . In comparison much to my discomfort Srimati Gandhi funeral processin was not as well attended . Inspite of Bangladesh and Blue Star I had mixed feelings on her death.
Which politician does not want that place in people’s heart .
But how many can get it .
Why every chief minister of Maharashtra paid respect to Bal Thackeray . Like giving him ,ordinary citizen ,state honour at funeral. Having his funeral at Shivaji Park .
Some thing Thackeray had that touched every Indian’s heart .
Shiv Sena lost elections many times so majority might not be with him . He possibly said and did what every one felt and wanted to say or do but could not speak.He only could vandalise Hussain’s exhibition or continued Amarnath Yatra or opposed Valentine day which people loved .
But he was like a patriarch respected and feared by every one in Mumbai.

I donot want to enumerate his failures or faults . He had many in abundance .
But why he was so close to hearts of millions is what I will like to understand.
Why did me a non Maharashtriyan , generally opposed to his hate politics , felt a pang of sadness when his pyre was lit- I DONOT KNOW. I wish there was some one to fill void but I see none.

Ram Vilas , Lalu , Mulayam keep competing with each other in issuing absurd pro muslim statements but they are not adored by muslims . They are considered and supported for TINA factor .
A joke going round elections was joke that once Lalu’s motorcade killed a piglet .The driver ran to village shouting ‘ सूअर का बच्चा मर गया ‘ . The villagers seeing his uniform ,went into rapturous celebrations saying ‘सुनो सूअर का बच्चा मर गया ‘ . They were deeply disappointed to learn that it was the piglet who had died.

Mayawati is the only leader whose death will be mourned as much by her followers in UP . If Advani had not become Ab Jinnah vani and had made the temple at Ayodhya, he would have had that status . Modi has that status today . Karunanidhi too has genuine following .
Rest are phoney leaders .
SO THAT BRINGS ME BACK TO THE INITIAL QUESTION ?
What made Thackeray unique ?
May be the group can tell.