Ramdas Kadam.
Credit: PTI Photo
Mumbai: Veteran politician Ramdas Kadam, who has switched over to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, has sparked off a controversy with a stunning claim that late Balasaheb Thackeray’s body was kept in Matoshree for two days before the announcement of his death.
Born on 23 January 1926, Balasaheb, who founded the Shiv Sena on 19 June 1966, passed away on 17 November 2012, aged 86.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has slammed Kadam saying that he should thank Balasaheb that he has attained such a position in political life.
The 72-year-old Kadam is a four-term MLA, two-term MLC, had served as a Environment Minister in the erstwhile BJP-Shiv Sena saffron alliance government and was the Leader of the Opposition in Legislative Assembly.
Kadam’s stunning claim came during the Shiv Sena’s annual Dussehra rally at the Nesco Complex at Goregaon in presence of Shinde, the chief leader of Shiv Sena and Deputy Chief Minister.
“Why was Balasaheb’s body kept for two days? What was happening inside? People said fingerprints were taken, for what purpose? When was his will prepared and who signed it? All these details must come out,” he said addressing the rally.
“Balasaheb’s death took place two days earlier, but his body was kept inside Matoshree for taking hand impressions. This is what the doctors who treated him had told me. Even inside Matoshree, people were discussing it,” he said, adding that during those days, he used to be outside Matoshree constantly because of the worsening health of the Sena supremo.
Kadam demanded a probe into the issue. “Yes, I am making a statement with full responsibility,” he added.
Later, speaking to reporters on Thursday night, he reiterated the charge. “You should ask them,” he said when pressed for further details.
On Friday noon, speaking to reporters, he compounded the charges and alleged that Uddhav "tortured" the body of his late father.
“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 and claimed no one was allowed inside the room in Matoshree, where the Shiv Sena founder was kept for two days.
Nitesh Rane backs Kadam
On the other hand, BJP leader and state Fisheries and Ports Minister Nitesh Rane backed the claims of Kadam. “Who went to Switzerland. For whom he was waiting. Who was to arrive from Switzerland and in which flight.
They should give an answer. For which property, which papers,” he said, adding that Kadam is asking the right questions.
Shiv Sena slams Kadam
The Shiv Sena (UBT), however, slammed him and said that Kadam is dishonest and betrayer. “What does he know…I was constantly there in Matoshree during those difficult times,” said Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut, who is a close aide of the Thackeray family.
“Such a remark comes 10 years after the death of Balasaheb…it comes just months away of his 100th birth anniversary…he should realise that it is Balasaheb who had made him big…all of us big…he is a betrayer,” said Raut, a journalist-politician. "There is no value of Kadam," said senior Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav.
It is low level politics: Supriya Sule
NCP (SP) Working President Supriya Sule said that Kadam's statement is nothing but low level politics. "Have we come into politics for this?. This is low level politics," she said.