Prime Minister Narendra Modi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, and several other leaders paid tributes to Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray on his 95th birth anniversary. 

Born in 1926, Thackeray had founded the Shiv Sena, a party wedded to the “Marathi manoos” cause, and later, embraced Hindu nationalism, PTI reported. 

On his birth anniversary, Modi took to Twitter to pay tribute to the late leader and said he was unwavering in upholding his ideals.

“Tributes to Shri Balasaheb Thackeray Ji on his Jayanti. He was unwavering when it came to upholding his ideals. He worked tirelessly for the welfare of people,” Modi tweeted. 

Taking to Twitter, the NCP chief said Thackeray used his talent as a cartoonist to comment on various social issues.

“Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray was a skilled cartoonist who commented on social issues through his brush and was an excellent orator who mastered words. He had a good grip on politics. Late who is passionate about Maharashtra. Congratulations to Balasaheb Thackeray on his birthday!” he tweeted. 

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, the late leader’s son, offered floral tributes to the portrait of his father at Matoshree, the family’s residence in suburban Mumbai.

Speaking about this father’s contribution, the chief minister said, “He was a great nationalist and a shining symbol of Hindutva,” PTI reported. 

BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Devendra Fadnavis also paid tributes to Thackeray.