Uddhav Thackeray may skip Balasaheb portrait unveiling at Maharashtra assembly on Jan 23

Mumbai, January 20: Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray is likely to skip the Balasaheb portrait unveiling in the Maharashtra assembly on January 23 owing to his prior commitments.

The unveiling of Balasaheb’s oil portrait is scheduled at 6 pm in the Maharashtra assembly’s central hall on January 23, which is the Shiv Sena founder’s birth anniversary.

Uddhav’s schedule suggests that he will take part in an event to pay tribute to his father at 7 pm at Regal Circle in Colaba, where Bal Thackeray’s life-size statue is installed. He will then head to Sion to address a meeting of Sena functionaries.

 

 

 

Leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT) faction have suggested that as their own event is scheduled at the same time, Uddhav may have to skip the oil portrait unveiling event. However, there could be last-minute changes as Regal circle and assembly are close by, they said.

Four oil paintings of Balasaheb have been commissioned. State Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar will choose the one which will be hung in the central hall. The portrait will be unveiled by CM Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis. The entire Thackeray family, including Uddhav and other members such as MNS chief Raj Thackeray and nephew Nihar Thackeray, who had extended support to Shinde, were invited. Central ministers from Maharashtra, cabinet ministers, state MLAs and MPs and eminent personalities from the sports and cultural arena have also been extended invitations.