MUMBAI - Three generations of the Thackerays - Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, his son Uddhav and grandson Aditya - came out Thursday to vote in the Maharashtra assembly elections.

The ailing Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray, who has steered the course of Mumbai politics for decades, stepped out of his home Matohshree in Bandra East around 10.15 a.m. to go to a polling booth in Kherwardi and cast his vote as huge crowds looked on.

Thackeray, in his rare outing, was accompanied by his son, Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav, daughter-in-law Rashmi, grandson Aditya and other party leaders.

Shortly after emerging from the polling station, a frail Thackeray, 80, smiled at the crowds and raised his left forefinger to indicate that he had cast his vote - the first time since the 2004 elections.

Later, as camera crews jostled with each other and amid tight security, Thackeray interacted with his well-wishers, supporters and even blessed some party activists.

Before being driven home, Thackeray went on his first joyride on the Bandra-Worli sea link.

Barely six kilometres away, to the south, Thackeray’s estranged nephew Raj Thackeray and his wife Sharmila also cast their votes at a polling station near Shivaji Park in Dadar.

Earlier, Raj - head of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) which is giving a tough challenge to cousin Uddhav’s Shiv Sena - paid a quick visit to the famed Siddhivinayak Temple at Prabhadevi to pray.

Another member of the Thackeray clan, Shalini Thackeray, wife of Raj’s cousin Jeetendra, also cast her vote in Andheri constituency. She is contesting on a MNS ticket from Andheri west.