Mumbai: The Shiv Sena is for the first time showing signs of a debate on the structure constructed where Bal Thackeray was cremated. Their mouthpiece 'Saamna' has claimed that the party has decided to shift back the memorial to the margins of the Shivaji Park in Mumbai. This comes days after the Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation gave a notice to the Shiv Sena over the structure. It will now be moved 20 feet away from where it is currently and will be done by Shiv Sainiks themselves. Earlier on Monday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan had also said that Shivaji Park, a large open ground in central Mumbai, was given to the Shiv Sena just for Bal Thackeray's cremation and they must vacate it. "Shivaji Park was given for Bal Thackeray's cremation on the grounds that it will be returned in the same condition. We want the Shiv Sena to abide by the conditions and follow the law," Chavan said. Ever since Thackeray's death, the Shiv Sena had been pressing for a memorial to be built at Shivaji Park. Shiv Sena workers had on Saturday gathered in large number at the funeral site of Bal Thackeray at Shivaji Park in Mumbai amid reports that the authorities were planning to remove the structure that has come up at the place. BMC had sent a notice to the Shiv Sena to dismantle the temporary structure built at the Shivaji Park. BMC denied permission for a Bal Thackeray memorial at the Shivaji Park. BMC had said that the permission to use the ground was given only for the cremation and that it should be restored to its original status as it is a reserved plot as per the city development plan. "The purpose for which the site was alloted (for Thackeray's cremation) is over. Therefore, we have asked both Prabhu and Raut to remove the structure immediately or face legal consequences," Municipal Commissioner Sitaram Kunte had said. Earlier, Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray had said that the controversy over the Bal Thackeray memorial was unnecessary. Uddhav in an interview to Sena's paper 'Saamna' said that the Sena will continue fighting for 'Marathi Manoos' and 'Hindutvavaad'. Opposing the demand, state Congress on Saturday said no "other" memorial should come up at the sprawling ground in central Mumbai. "Shivaji Maharaj is a god for people of Maharashtra. His memorial is already there at Shivaji Park," MPCC chief Manikrao Thakre said. The 86-year-old Sena chief was cremated on November 18 at Shivaji Park, the same ground where he had addressed his followers during Dassera rallies for over 40 years and the party is keen to have Thackeray's memorial there. Last week, Sena had equated the edifice where Balasaheb's last rites were conducted at Shivaji Park, to Ayodhya. "The sanctity of the place should be maintained. It is like a temple for us and we won't remove the structure that has come up at the cremation site," Raut had told reporters. He had also asked the government and court not to intervene in the issue. Senior party leader Manohar Joshi first made the demand for the memorial of Bal Thackeray at the site, soon after he was cremated on November 18. Thackeray died on November 17 at his residence 'Matoshree'.
from
IANS
Andhra to seek revision of SC order on Babli
An all-party meeting in Hyderabad decided that AP government will seek review/clarification from the SC on its orders about the Babli project.
from IANS
Gangrape: Court says no to lie detector test
A fast track Delhi court hearing the December 16, 2012, gang-rape case on Monday dismissed the pleas of two accused seeking permission to undergo lie detector tests and also to subject the victim's male friend to a similar test.
from in.com
Newsmaker of the day: Phaneesh Murthy
An ugly sex scandal has made Phaneesh Murthy's employers show him the door yet again. Can the honcho bounce back like he did in 2003? Only time will tell.
from
IBNLive
Slide with Gandhi's blood to be auctioned
A large collection of Mahatma Gandhi's memorabilia will go under the hammer on Tuesday in London.
from
PTI
Plea to withdraw complaint against Tharoor rejected
Plea to withdraw complaint in the National Anthem case against Tharoor was dismissed.
from
IANS
Delhi: Neighbours kidnap, gangrape girl
A 17-year-old girl was kidnapped and gang-raped in Delhi by three people, including two neighbours, after giving her sedatives, police said on Monday.
from
IANS
US: Powerful tornado slams Oklahoma City
At least 51 people, including seven children at an elementary school, were killed as a massive tornado slammed Oklahoma City in south central US leaving widespread destruction in its wake.