How the end came
It was Bal Thackeray's presence a little before 3 pm on Wednesday that started the rumours going. For the Shiv Sena supremo to leave home meant there were pressing matters at hand. Thackeray and Pramod Mahajan had a relationship going back 20 years. It was one of trust and mutual, hard-won respect.
The BJP and Shiv Sena could have had all manner of differences, but Mahajan could always be counted upon to keep the alliance going. And so, the whispers began.
Reportage: Syed Firdaus Ashraf | Photograph: Jewella C Miranda
Image: BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and S S Ahluwalia at the Hinduja Hospital.
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