Congress, NCP pay tribute to Balasaheb Thackeray

Mumbai: Congress and NCP leaders paid rich tribute to Shiv Sena supremo, the late Balasaheb Thackeray, as both parties prepared to form an alliance government with the Sena on Thursday.

NCP MP and party chief Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule remembered how “Balasaheb and Maasaheb (the late Meenatai Thackeray)” treated her like a daughter. “Maasaheb and Balasaheb —missing you so much today. Both of you should have been here today. They treated me with so much love and affection — more than a daughter! Their role in my life will always be special and memorable!” she tweeted. Sharad Pawar also hailed the Shiv Sena founder, describing him as a man who kindled pride in the Marathi manoos and gave direction to society and politics through his courageous personality.

Congress’s Balasaheb Thorat said that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Balasaheb Thackeray had a cordial relationship and Balasaheb Thackeray supported her. “Whenever needed, they stood by each other,” he said. The Sena founder had supported the Emergency.

The alliance of the Sena with the Congress as part of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi was seen as an unlikely combine as the two parties share opposite ideologies.

Both the Congress and NCP had paid respect to Balasaheb Thackeray on his seventh death anniversary and also through social media platforms.