‘Bal Thackeray’s Fingerprints Taken After Death’: Shinde Faction Leader’s Claim Sparks Row | Politics News

Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. (File)

A political tussle broke out between the Shinde and Uddhav factions of the Shiv Sena after party leader Ramdas Kadam made a sensational claim that party founder Bal Thackeray’s body was kept at his Bandra residence for two days after his death and his fingerprints taken.

While addressing the Dussehra rally on Thursday, Kadam alleged that Bal Thackeray’s body was kept for two days after his death at Matoshree so that his fingerprints could be taken on his will, PTI reported.

“When did Shiv Sena pramukh (Bal Thackeray) die? Why was Shiv Sena pramukh’s body kept at Matoshree (his residence in suburban Bandra) for two days. I have slept on a bench at Matoshree for eight days (when Bal Thackeray was seriously ill),” Kadam asserted.

Further targeting Uddhav Thackeray, Kadam demanded an explanation and hinted at more revelations ahead. “This is just a glimpse, the movie is yet to come,” he said.

He also claimed that Uddhav Thackeray “tortured” the body of his late father. The former state minister also challenged that there be a narco analysis test on him and the Shiv Sena (UBT) president so that the truth comes out.

“I told Uddhav ji to take impressions of his feet. But Uddhav ji said he has taken impressions of his palms. What use have you made of these impressions? Let there be a narco (analysis) test on me and Uddhav ji (to verify this),” the Shiv Sena leader demanded.

Kadam said he will also reveal details on Bal Thackeray’s will at a later stage. “I will also speak about how Balasaheb’s will was made, who made it, and who signed it.”

Bal Thackeray passed away on November 17, 2012, aged 86.

Later, Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat joined the debate and said there was substance in the allegations made by Kadam, while BJP leader Nitesh Rane claimed Uddhav Thackeray did not let his father, Narayan Rane, meet Bal Thackeray during his last days.

“Uddhav Thackeray did not let Narayan Rane meet Bal Thackeray during his last days. Kadam can tell better what was happening there (at Matoshree) during those 2-3 days. We only know someone was going to come from Switzerland and the (death) declaration was supposed to take place after signing a few papers,” he said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Reacts

The Uddhav camp hit back quickly, with Sanjay Raut saying that his comments amounted to betrayal of the Shiv Sena founder.

“Making such statements amounted to betrayal of Balasaheb Thackeray,” Raut, a key aide of Uddhav Thackeray, said.

Sena (UBT) leader Bhaskar Jadhav said, “Does anyone call Kadam to speak at any rally? Such barking dogs are not given any importance.”

(With inputs from agencies)