He stands no chance of meeting his idol and protector, so Marathi manus (man) Ramachandra Gawande is spending Bal Thackeray’s birthday hawking chicken vadas.The air is redolent with pungent smells of dried fish. You can wash it down with kokum sherbet — and that’s exactly what some 10,000 visitors are doing at this brightly-lit Konkan mela at a dusty field in Naigaon, a working-class pocket in suburban Mumbai. This is all they can do today to celebrate Thackeray’s 76th birthday. For in Bandra at Matoshree, Thackeray’s residence, it’s quite clear the tiger is in no mood to be felicitated. ‘‘Heightened threat perception,’’ is the explanation by son and chief-in-waiting Uddhav.The truth is more mundane, something confusing for the Sena’s foot soldiers: Thackeray has mellowed, illnesses plague him — something he never talks about — and he’s retired from public life. Many are aware that a succession may be at hand. And while they will have no say in the matter — Thackeray never was a democrat and says so plainly — few are willing to shift loyalties to Uddhav whose competence they question.With BJP’s resurgence after Narendra Modi’s triumphant visit to Sena heartland earlier this month, they are aware that more than before, they need to reach out. That’s why in recent years the melas are growing. Press them about the succession and their reticence is obvious. ‘‘Next saheb Uddhav saheb,’’ mutters one, unwilling to be heard in public. That’s why the coming party convention at Mahabaleshwar near month-end will be crucial for Sainiks. Thackeray is likely to hand over charge to Uddhav here. And so, Uddhav cronies, principal organisers of all major events here, tried hard to eclipse the celebrations by the faction run by cousin Raj. But at Matoshree, the Sainiks can go no further than the road for Thackeray has announced that those who want to celebrate his birthday can leave their offerings at Sena headquarters.Sources say Thackeray has made up his mind to abdicate the throne in favour of Uddhav. But the leader will, however, be the final word on policy matters. Aware of the widening rift between son and nephew, Thackeray is likely to announce an important political assignment for Raj.Despite the turmoil, Sena’s power is evident in 200 hoardings, banners, advertisements and a 44-page colour pullout in mouthpiece Saamna, splashed with salutations for the patriarch from the who’s who of India Inc.Meanwhile, at Naigaum, they’re preparing to continue the wooing of the Konkan voter. After the dry fish, mango. ‘‘Wait for Ambamahotsav by Konkan traders across Mumbai this summer,’’ says Manoj Naik, head, Sindhudurg Zilla Vikas Mahasangh. Families throng his stall selling the latest Sena tourism gig: 4-day Sindhudurg. Rs 1,200 only, starting February.
