Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray paid tribute to his father and Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray on his death anniversary at Mumbai's Shivaji Park on Sunday.
He was accompanied by his wife Rashmi Thackeray and other leaders of the party.
Bal Keshav Thackeray, popularly known as Balasaheb Thackeray, founded the Shiv Sena party in 1966. He began his professional career as a cartoonist with an English language daily which he quit later to start Shiv Sena to advocate for the interests of the people of Maharashtra.
VIDEO | Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray (@ShivSenaUBT_) pays tribute to Shiv Sena founder #BalasahebThackeray on his death anniversary at Mumbai's Shivaji Park.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 17, 2024
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/Etgo7lZmGL
He also founded the Marathi-language newspaper 'Saamna'. Despite exerting significant influence in politics, Thackeray never held any official position during his political career.
He passed away on November 17, 2012, at the age of 86 following a cardiac arrest.
Thackeray's grandson and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aadtiya Thackeray also paid tribute to his grandfather with a heartfelt post on social media platform X.
Sharing a photo with the grandfather, Aaditya captioned it in Marathi: "Grandpa...Salutations to the holy memory."
आज्या...
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) November 16, 2024
पवित्र स्मृतीस विनम्र अभिवादन! pic.twitter.com/AkAhjyuhZ8
Political leaders from across the spectrum remembered the political stalwart.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him a "visionary personality who insisted on the development of Maharashtra and empowerment of Marathi people." "He strongly believed in promoting pride in Indian culture and values. His soulful voice and unwavering determination will continue to inspire generations to come," he said in a post on X.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also paid him tribute. "Remembering Balasaheb Thackeray ji on his 12th death anniversary. My thoughts are with Uddhav Thackeray ji, Aditya and the entire Shiv Sena family," he said in a post on X.
