REFUTING charges of ‘dynasty politics’ against him, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Monday reiterated that the decision to make son Uddhav the party executive president was taken by nephew Raj and other senior Sena leaders and he had no role in it. Similarly, the entry of grandson Aditya into Sena politics is purely based on his merits and success at solving students issues rather than his lineage, he said.

Addressing a Shiv Sena-BJP-RPI rally at the MMRDA grounds in BKC, Thackeray Sr also went a step back on his earlier comments about not being against migrants and outsiders. “In 1966, I first proposed the system of permit to check the influx of migrants. All major European countries like Russia practise this system to check illegal migrants. But Mumbai has lakhs of illegal Bangladeshi Muslims because of the government’s inability to introduce such a system,” he said.

The rally was also attended by Uddhav, Aditya, BJP Mumbai chief Raj Purohit, BJP vice-chairman Gopinath Munde and RPI-A chief Ramdas Athavale.

With a view to reaffirming Dalits under RPI-A supporting the alliance, Thackeray brought up the issue of renaming the Marathwada University. “My good friend Sharad Pawar criticised me over opposing the university renaming. I want to clarify that I was not entirely opposed but my point was that Marathwada has its own history, which should not be renamed. I was the one who suggested to Pawar and RPI leader Rajendra Gavai at that time to rename it Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University,” he said. Reacting to Pawar’s statement that BMC is a hen that lays golden eggs for the Sena, Thackeray said such irresponsible statements did not suit a responsible leader like him.

“Shiv Sena or I have not taken anyone’s money. We have used all the money for the city. Those who are accusing me of Rs 40,000 crore corruption are distributing money and mobiles to gain votes in their constituencies,” he said hinting at Ajit Pawar.

He said instead of erecting Ambedkar statues, homes should be built for Dalits.