At 84 Bal Thackeray retired but still in charge

Mumbai: Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray celebrated his 84th birthday, and used the occasion to make it clear that he remains at the helm of the party.

"I have the remote control of politics and the remote control will continue to remain with me," said Thackeray in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana.

Thackeray retired from politics five years ago, making way for son Uddhav to lead the party.

"The sapling (Sena) I planted 45 years ago has grown into a vine, which reached the power centre in Delhi," he said.

He said that the ‘Marathi manoos’--Marathi people--was the centre of "our thoughts and will remain so".

"I don't have the energy I had earlier due to old age. I have just come back from illness, so won't be able to meet you at Matoshree but I am close to you from my heart. You have Uddhav; he will greet you at Matoshree," said Thackeray in a letter to Shiv Sainiks, also published in Saamana.

Matoshree is Thackeray's residence in suburban Bandra

and Sena workers throng his house on his birthday every year.

Film actor Nana Patekar, in an article in the newspaper, described Thackeray as a "steel personality".

"He calls me regularly.I have not seen such a person who is so sentimental despite being in politics," said Patekar.