Shiv Sena firm on Bal Thackeray memorial, says won't even obey court orders

Mumbai: As the controversy over late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's memorial rages on, a large number of Shiv Sainiks are guarding the place at Mumbai's Shivaji Park where the leader was cremated. Shiv Sainiks have also put up barricades at the cremation ground and declared that Bal Thackeray's memorial should be built there.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut called the memorial an emotional issue and also warned the Maharashtra government. Shiv Sena activists threatened that building a Thackeray memorial was a matter of faith and they would neither listen to the state government nor obey any court orders.

Several Shiv Sena activist and leaders have been paying homage at the cremation site where a temporary structure has already been put up. Party leaders have made it clear that they would not allow the structure to be moved away from the spot, indicating that the Shiv Sena is standing firm on it.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut called the memorial an emotional issue and also warned the Maharashtra government.

The state government has assured the Shiv Sena that the issue will be resolved through negotiations. On the other hand, the Maharashtra government is walking a tightrope in the face of Shiv Sena'a stand. The Maharashtra government is trying to solve the controversy through discussion. But sources say that even Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil knows that finding a solution to the issue is not so easy.

The question is will Shiv Sena take a step backward? Will the party agree to construct Thackeray's memorial at some other place? If it does not agree then what will the Maharashtra government do?

While the Shiv Sena has been adamant on constructing a Thackeray memorial at Shivaji Park, the government is equally determined to not let the party have its way.

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