The annual Dussehra rally of Shiv Sena at Shivaji Park managed to draw crowds, but the fanaticism was missing, probably because of the absence of Bal Thackeray. His voice still rang through the ears of supporters in the form of a pre-recorded speech that was played out. And the Sena chief seemed to indicate that he was now on the verge of hanging up his boots.

Show of strength: Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aaditya during the party’s rally at Shivaji Park yesterday.