Now, another 'son-rise' in Thackeray clan

Mumbai, Jan 23 (IANS) The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Thursday formally launched his 27-year-old son Amit Thackeray at the party's first mega-convention here.Amit Thackeray's name was announced by a senior leader Bala Nandgaonkar and greeted with a standing ovation by the 20,000-plus gathering at the NSE Ground, Goregaon.Accepting the 'abhishek' honour, Amit Thackeray folded his hands -- and taking a leaf out of his uncle Uddhav Thackeray's book -- stepped forward on the stage, bowed and prostrated, and expressed his gratitude to the party leaders and workers.It may be recalled that when Uddhav Thackeray was sworn-in as Chief Minister at a mega-function in Shivaji Park on November 28, the senior Thackeray had prostrated himself on the stage to express his thanks to the people of the state."This is my first-ever address on a public platform in the past 14 years of the party and my 27 years (age)... I am truly overwhelmed. This would not have been possible without the guidance and encouragement of Raj-Saheb Thackeray," he said in his brief speech.There were loud applause from his parents, Raj and Sharmila Thackeray, who basked in the glory, as well as Amit's wife Mitali Borude-Thackeray, his grandmother, other relatives, party leaders and office-bearers and activists.With Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aditya Thackeray in the government, Amit Thackeray becomes another third-generation to rise from the state's pre-eminent Thackeray clan.
--IANS qn/in