Nov 17, 2012, 07.31 PM IST

Balasaheb's demise a major loss to Maha, NDA, country: BJP

Mourning the death of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray who passed away on Saturday, the BJP said that his demise was a major loss to Maharashtra, to the NDA and the country

Source: IBNLive.com

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Mourning the death of Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray who passed away on Saturday, the BJP said that his demise was a major loss to Maharashtra, the NDA and the country. Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj tweeted saying she is terribly pained to hear that "the Lion is dead".

BJP leader Prakash Javadekar said, "We have lost a very great fighting leader and a great person. He was the tallest leader of our alliance in Maharashtra."

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BJP patriarch LK Advani said, "A political giant has departed. It is rare that I have seen in these 65 years of independent India, a political leader who has left such a deep imprint on the country's events as Bal Thackeray."

The Congress, too, expressed grief on Thackeray's death and said that he had an important role to play in Maharashtra politics. "The Shiv Sena was known because after his name. We pray for his family and supporters. May the almighty give them power to pass through this tough phase," said Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi.

President Pranab Mukherjee also expressed grief on the demise of the Marathi leader. BJP leader and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi also condoled Thackeray's death and said that he was an epitome of courage, valour. "Since the past few days, the entire nation was praying for him. He fought like a warrior, but in the end all us had to lose him. On a personal level, he was very affectionate towards me. I lost a guiding force," Modi said.

Anti-corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, "Balasaheb no more. May his soul rest in peace. Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family." Author and columnist Shobhaa De also tweeted, "He was unabashed about being seen as an autocrat. He was an iron man. It was the fear that he generated that brought Mumbai to its knees when he wanted it."

Union minister and Congress MP Milind Deora too expressed sorrow on the death of the 86-year-old leader. "Ideologies and politics aside, Balasaheb was unique and his influence on Maharashtra politics is undeniable. Often imitated but never duplicated," Deora tweeted.