After a gap of almost a year, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray is all set to address the party's traditional Dussehra rally on October 9. The 81-year-old Thackeray has stopped attending Sena rallies owing to ill-health since last year.

The Sena chief's video recorded message was shown at the party's foundation day and also at a gathering of veteran Shiv Sainiks earlier this year.

This would be the 43rd Dussehra rally of the Sena. The rally is being held at Shivaji Park in central Mumbai and the venue hasn't changed over the years, with the faithful cadre converging at the sprawling ground to hear the cartoonist-turned `Hinduhridaysamarat' (emperor of Hindu hearts) hold forth on a variety of issues.

Thackeray's son and Sena executive president Uddhav, who is now de facto managing the party affairs, will also address the rally, Sena sources said.

The senior Thackeray is expected to touch on the overture made by former Sena leader Chhagan Bhujbal in withdrawing a defamation case against him and also dwell on former Sena leaders Narayan Rane and Raj Thackeray, the sources said.

Rane is launching a Marathi newspaper 'Prahar' on Dussehra, in presence of NCP chief Sharad Pawar. The daily is expected to take on the Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana', which has been critical of the former Shiv sainik.

Rubbishing nephew and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Raj Thackeray's "hollow sympathy" for him over the Lok Sabha's privileges committee summons issue, Thackeray had recently told his nephew that he need not bother.

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