Man who got Thackeray arrested prays for his health

Activist-politician Mangale-shwar Tripathi, alias Munna Tripathi is praying for the good health and speedy recovery of Bal Thackeray. He is the same man who had got the leader arrested in 2007. Tripathi claims he was one of the first to visit Matoshree on Wednesday after news of Thackeray's ill-health spread.

Bouquets and brickbats: Munna Tripathi with Bal Thackeray. File pic

In 2007, Tripathi had filed a complaint against Thackeray for writing an editorial in his party mouthpiece Saamna that, according to the claimant, was communally provocative. "I had registered the case in the Andheri court. I even remember that it was case number 67/06. An arrest warrant was issued by the magistrate, which was challenged in the Sessions Court. He was arrested and released on bail within minutes. The court even awarded a fine of Rs 500. I have preserved that note and it will remain with me forever," said Tripathi.

Tripathi says he withdrew the case only after Uddhav Thackeray made an appearance at an event to mark Uttar Pradesh Din on January 24, 2008. "I am praying for Balasaheb's health to improve, because he's the greatest politician of Maharashtra. He will be fine very soon," he told
MiD DAY.

Tripathi is the president of Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Parishad (UBVP) and is currently the general secretary of UP Congress. "I had filed the case under the banner of UBVP and not as a politician. I respect Balasaheb and will continue to do so all my life," he said.u00a0