Thackeray votes after eight years

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray voted on Monday after more than eight years.

"I am happy to have regained my freedom to vote," he said, referring to the six-year ban imposed on him by the Bombay high court.

Thackeray, in an election campaign meeting for Sena candidate Ramesh Prabhu in 1995, had sought votes in the name of religion. Prabhu had contested the assembly polls in Maharashtra from Santacruz, Mumbai, against the Congress' Prabhakar Kunte.

Kunte, who lost the seat, filed a petition in the court, which set aside Prabhu's election on the ground that Thackeray had sought votes on religious issues and thereby violated provisions of the Representation of People's Act.

On Monday, the Sena chief cast his vote at the Municipal High School in suburban Bandra.

His son Uddhav, who is also the executive president of the Sena, accompanied him. A large number of party workers were present outside the polling booth to greet their leaders.

Thackeray's nephew and Sena youth leader Raj Thackeray also cast his ballot at Bal Mohan Vidya Mandir at Shivaji Park. Raj, who was accompanied by his wife and mother, stood in a long queue before voting.