Shiv Sena wants Bal Thackeray’s name in great personalities

After the BJP-led state government included names to Jan Sangh leaders in its list of great personalities, its partner Shiv Sena wants party founder late Bal Thackeray’s name added in it too.

The state government had earlier this month asked all departments to observe the 99th birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, late founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh, on September 25 by putting up his framed picture in their offices and offering floral tributes.

“Balasaheb ruled the hearts of the people. He worked for the people of Maharashtra. He was the undisputed leader of the Marathi Manoos. His name must be added to the list of great personalities. If we list the work he did, volumes will have to be published,” said Arvind Sawant, Shiv Sena MP from south Mumbai.

Sawant said that the late Sena founder’s anniversary must be celebrated in government offices and his photograph must be put up just like other leaders.