A white shawl draped on his left shoulder, rudraksha beads around his neck, red tilak on the forehead and sporting dark sunglasses, Kantilal Mishra bore a striking similarity to Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.
Text, Photographs, Video: Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com
A frail-looking gentleman was the cynosure of Shiv Sainiks outside the Shivaji Park maidan where Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray was sworn in as Maharashtra chief minister.
Sporting a startling resemblance to Bal Thackeray, founder of the Shiv Sena, he was thronged by scores of Shiv Sainiks.
A white shawl draped on his left shoulder, rudraksha beads around his neck, a visible red tilak on the forehead and sporting dark sunglasses, Kantilal Mishra bore a striking similarity to Bal Thackeray.
A frail-looking gentleman in his mid-50s, Mishra had specially come from Mira Road, a township adjoining north west Mumbai, dressed like Chief Minister Thackeray's late father, whose seventh death anniversary was commemorated on November 17.
"My presence here reminds them of Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray," Mishra said, entertaining Shiv Sena followers, men and women, who immediately surrounded him with requests for selfies and videos.
"This is a very momentous day as we have a Shiv Sainik as chief minister," Mishra added. "It was the wish of Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray to unfurl the bhagwa (the saffron flag) in Maharashtra. What else can give us more joy that his wish has been fulfilled today?"
"The three parties together will give a good government and ensure good administration and law and order in the state," he said.
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