He is quite easily the most photographed Asian councillor of modern times but Mr Hussain Akhtar, and that famous grey jacket, has had enough.
Hussain Akhtar this month announced that he would not be standing again as a councillor. So here Asian Image would like to bid a fond farewell to one of the region's most colourful characters.
It is now over 35 years since Mr Akhtar decided to join the Labour Party and unlike some other politicians who choose to switch sides, for Mr Akhtar this was never an option.
"It was not as if I was never asked to change parties...I was. But I felt the Labour party was always the one for me as I agreed with their policies at local level. I worked with Barbara Castle and then Jack Straw and I felt both did a lot for Blackburn and the country."
Mr Akhtar has been criticised from many quarters for being the archetypal Asian councillor with little grasp of English. But little do people realise that he was quite simply one of the hardest working local politicians around.
"All I really wanted was to help people and bring unity between different cultures and religions.
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"If you ring me up at any time of day I will always try to help. I come from the old fashioned type of councillor who generally let their actions do the talking.
"I have some advice for any candidates - You must face the people and make yourself known to them.
"All councillors tend to be up for criticism but I always said education was the key. One of my sons is now a legal expert of which I am very proud of but I wanted that for all youngsters - for them to achieve what we as the first generation could not.
"I think people criticise for no reason sometimes.
"You do not get re-elected as a councillor - especially in a predominantly Asian ward - unless you have done something good.
"I always got the most votes every election and this in an area made up of both Indian and Pakistani communities."
It is hard not to agree with the sentiments of Mr Akhtar who would always comfortably win his ward election when others, even more experienced campaigners would struggle. His closest challenge came in 2002 when Mr Valli Bhikha polled 1,100 to Mr Akhtar's 1,400.
"It was only time I really got nervous about a result."
When asked last month Mr Akhtar said it was due to family reasons he was not standing but he reveals here why he chose to call it a day.
"There are elements within the party who wish to divide the party and I am not happy with that.
"I always wanted what was best for the local party and if that means me stepping aside then so be it."
"People can look into as much as they want."
Mr Akhtar, now 60, came to the country in 1969 and his first job was working as a factory hand at JB Martin. He then opened his grocers in 1972." And that iconic grey jacket? "Well, that was given to me my son Hassan who died at age of 26 in 1999. It is one my most treasured possessions."
And what of a comeback?
"In politics and you never what is round the corner and I might even wear that famous jacket at another election campaign one day!'
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