The Maharashtra Government is thinking of approving a project to build a memorial for Shiv Sena leader Balasaheb Thackeray at Shivaji Park in south central Mumbai.
On Monday, Maharashtra’s Minister of State for Urban Development Bhaskar Jadhav told reporters that the State Government was positive about granting permission for the memorial at the park.
He added that the Thackeray family should first approach the State Government for the memorial.
After Thackeray’s cremation on Sunday, Shiv Sena leader and former chief minister of Maharashtra Manohar Joshi had made the demand that a memorial be built at the park.
Shivaji Park is a public playground that is also used for political rallies. The park is deeply embedded in the history of the Shiv Sena. Every year on Dussehra, Thackeray used to address his party men from at the park. It was also used for launching political campaigns by the party.
Thackeray’s wife Meenatai’s statue is also installed at one of the gates. The gate is named after her.
Shivaji Park is also near the V. D. Savarkar memorial and the Chaitya Bhoomi, which is a memorial to B. R. Ambedkar.
rahul.wadke@thehindu.co.in