RS: 19 years ago, I had done ‘Aap Ki Adalat' in the same Mumbai with Bala saheb Thackeray. The day that show was telecast, there was no traffic on the roads. Such was the popularity of that interview. When I went to Pakistan, people told me that they had watched Bal Thackeray show. The openness with which Bala saheb had answered questions, you are answering with same openness and I'm happy for that. This is 19 years old thing that I wanted to share with you. It's a very emotional thiong for me because I'm remembering those moments.
You will agree with me that you have got the same persona like Bala Saheb Thackeray, you are also a cartoonist. You also answer the same way. You have got the same enthusiasm. You were inseparable part of the family. Till now People have not understood why you left the family?
Raj: Why are you dragging me into flashback? Leaving a family is not a good thing. People normally don't believe politicians but I want you to believe this, I never thought of forming a party after leaving Shiv Sena. My wife is not here but she knows everything. Honestly speaking, I wanted to leave politics. I didn't want it. But the way people were coming to me, I got confused. I didn't know what to do? I thought I should take a tour of Maharashtra. The response I got encouraged me to form the political party. To start a political party when Bala Saheb was alive was not a joke. Name, flag..everything was to be decided. But my experience helped me and things fell in line one by one.
My father and Bala Saheb were own brothers. My mother and Bala saheb's wife (Meena Tai) were own sisters.
RS: I read that while doing the research. I was told when you were just 8-9 years old…
Raj: When I was a kid, people tell me that he took me to Yerwada jail where he was lodged although I don't remember. He used to take me to all the rallies. May be I got all his traits that time.
