Mumbai: Bal Thackeray towers over Colaba

Cousins Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, and other senior political leaders, including NCP chief Sharad Pawar (right) and former CM Devendra Fadnavis were present at the unveiling ceremony. Pics/Bipin Kokate

CM Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin MNS chief Raj Thackeray came together for the unveiling of late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray's statue at the Shyamaprasad Mukherjee Junction in Colaba, on the occasion of his 95th birth anniversary on Saturday. The unveiling ceremony, which lasted barely 15 minutes, was carried out under tight security.

Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar

Several senior political leaders attended the event, including NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Congress leader and revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat, Opposition leader and former CM Devendra Fadnavis, Republic Party leader Ramdas Aathwale, NCP leader Jayant Patil, Chhagan Bhujbal, Mayor Kishori Pednekar. State environment minister Aaditya Thackeray, his mother Rashmi Thackeray and Amit Thackeray, son of Raj Thackeray were also present.

After the event, the CM said, "This is a historic moment. Balasaheb had good relations with leaders across all the parties. I am satisfied that all party leaders were present today." Mayor Kishori Pednekar said, "Though their political agendas are different, the Thackeray brothers are very close to each other. When I visited Raj Thackeray's house to give an invitation for the ceremony, he was more than happy [to attend]."

The bronze statue, which is 9 feet tall and placed on an 11 foot-high foundation, weighs 1,200 kg. Shashikant Wadke, who conceptualised the design of the statue got emotional when he was felicitated at the event. Due to the unveiling, there was restriction on vehicular movement in the evening.