The annual Dussehra rallies of the Shiv Sena factions took a dramatic turn on Thursday when senior Shinde camp leader Ramdas Kadam dropped a political bombshell at the NESCO Centre in Goregaon. While Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray dominated the stage at their respective rallies, Kadam’s remarks created the loudest ripples in Maharashtra’s political circles.
In a sensational allegation, Kadam claimed that after Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray’s death in 2012, his body was kept at Matoshree for two days to obtain fingerprints. Questioning the secrecy surrounding the events, he asked, “Why was Balasaheb’s body kept for two days? What was happening inside? People said handprints were taken, for what purpose? When was his will prepared and who signed it? All these details must come out.”
Later, speaking to the media, Kadam doubled down on his claim. “Balasaheb’s death took place two days earlier, but his body was kept inside Matoshree for taking hand impressions. This is what the doctors who treated him had told me. Even inside Matoshree, people were discussing it,” Kadam said. He further revealed that the information came directly from Dr Parker, who had treated Balasaheb.
Issuing a warning, Kadam added, “This is just the beginning. A lot more will come out if they keep targeting us. If my son is attacked politically, I will reveal everything step by step.”
Turning his ire toward Uddhav Thackeray, Kadam accused him of revenge politics, claiming his son Yogesh Kadam was being unfairly targeted. “You are asking for my son’s resignation, singling him out. I spent 55 years at Matoshree. I know how many times you packed your bags to leave. We built Shiv Sena, not Uddhav Thackeray,” he said.
The explosive remarks have triggered heated debate, with many calling Kadam’s statement one of the most sensational claims about Balasaheb Thackeray’s final days. While the Shinde camp has chosen to remain silent on the issue, a sharp counterattack is expected from the Uddhav-led Sena (UBT) in the coming days.
