PM Modi said he would always cherish his interactions with the Maratha leader, one of the early pioneers of hardline Hindutva politics, who enjoyed a large following
Bal Thackeray. File Pic/mid-day photo team
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and other political leaders paid tributes to Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray on his 97th birth anniversary on Monday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said he would always cherish his interactions with the Maratha leader, one of the early pioneers of hardline Hindutva politics, who enjoyed a large following.
"Remembering Balasaheb Thackeray Ji on his birth anniversary. I will always cherish my various interactions with him. He was blessed with rich knowledge and wit. He devoted his life to public welfare," the Prime Minister tweeted.
Remembering Balasaheb Thackeray Ji on his birth anniversary. I will always cherish my various interactions with him. He was blessed with rich knowledge and wit. He devoted his life to public welfare.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2023
Also Read: Bal Thackeray birthday: Five things to know about the politician
Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde paid tributes to Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray on Twitter.
वंदनीय #हिंदुहृदयसम्राट #शिवसेनाप्रमुख #बाळासाहेब_ठाकरे यांना जयंतीदिनी त्यांच्या पवित्र स्मृतींस विनम्र अभिवादन....#Hinduhrudaysamrat #BalasahebThackeray pic.twitter.com/hGR6TrA7Em
— Eknath Shinde - एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) January 23, 2023
On the occasion of his father and Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray's 97th birth anniversary, Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray shared an old picture of him with Balasaheb and Aaditya Thackeray.
— Office of Uddhav Thackeray (@OfficeofUT) January 23, 2023
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar also paid tributes to Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.
स्व. बाळासाहेब ठाकरे यांच्या लेखणीत व कुंचल्यात सामाजिक व राजकीय परिस्थितीवर मार्मिक भाष्य करण्याचे सामर्थ्य होते. आपल्या अमोघ वकृत्वाद्वारे मराठी माणसांच्या मनात स्वाभिमान जागृत करणारे शिवसेना प्रमुख स्व. बाळासाहेब ठाकरे यांना जयंती दिनी विनम्र अभिवादन! pic.twitter.com/Q87LMhEar6
— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) January 23, 2023
Also Read: Bal Thackeray birth anniversary: History and achievements
Former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said, "Tribute to Shiv Sena Chief, Hindu Heart Emperor, Respected Balasaheb Thackeray on his birth anniversary! He had a fearless and transparent personality as a tough and fearless speaker who spoke truthfully to protect the identity of Maharashtra and the self-respect of the Marathi people. The place of this popular personality will remain unshakable in the Marathi mind."
शिवसेनाप्रमुख, हिंदुहृदयसम्राट,आदरणीय बाळासाहेब ठाकरे यांना जयंतीदिनी विनम्र अभिवादन! महाराष्ट्राची अस्मिता, मराठी माणसाचा स्वाभिमान जपण्यासाठी खरेपणाने बोलणारा कणखर,बेधडक वक्ता असं त्यांचं निडर,पारदर्शक व्यक्तिमत्त्व होतं. या लोकप्रिय व्यक्तिमत्त्वाचं स्थान मराठी मनात अढळ राहील. pic.twitter.com/zL4H4gYui3
— Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) January 23, 2023
The Shiv Sena recently split into two factions with the one commanding the support of a majority of its lawmakers siding with the BJP, while another headed by Thackeray's son Uddhav Thackeray aligning with the Opposition in the state.