Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray on his 97th birth anniversary. Paying his tributes, PM Modi said that he would always cherish his interactions with the founder of Shiv Sena.

"Remembering Balasaheb Thackeray Ji on his birth anniversary. I will always cherish my various interactions with him. He was blessed with rich knowledge and wit. He devoted his life to public welfare," the Prime Minister tweeted.

Remembering Balasaheb Thackeray Ji on his birth anniversary. I will always cherish my various interactions with him. He was blessed with rich knowledge and wit. He devoted his life to public welfare.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 23, 2023

Balasaheb Thackeray was the founder of the Shiv Sena and a prominent Hindutva leader who was known as the “Tiger” and “Hindu Hriday Samraat” among his supporters. Balasaheb Thackeray was born on January 23, 1926, and today marks his 97 birth anniversary.

Apart from PM Modi, several leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party paid tributes to Bal Thackeray. Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Keshav Prasad Maurya shared a poster of Balasaheb Thackeray on Twitter.

प्रखर राष्ट्रवादी हिन्दू, शिवसेना के संस्थापक एवं कुशल राजनेता बाल ठाकरे जी की जयंती पर उन्हें शत शत नमन।#BalThackeray pic.twitter.com/KNnfvutm4o

— Keshav Prasad Maurya (@kpmaurya1) January 23, 2023

Kunwar Brijesh Singh, Minister of State, Public Works Department, Uttar Pradesh shared a special message on Twitter.

“Tribute to the great Hindu nationalist leader and eloquent orator Bala Saheb Thackeray on his birth anniversary,” he wrote in Marathi.

प्रखर हिन्दू राष्ट्रवादी जननेता एवं ओजस्वी वक्ता श्रद्धेय बाला साहब ठाकरे जी की जयंती पर विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि। #BalThackeray pic.twitter.com/qShQkskJOJ

— Kunwar Brijesh Singh (@BrijeshSinghBJP) January 23, 2023

Balasaheb’s followers also shared heartfelt messages on the great leader’s birth anniversary.

“Remembering an Unapologetic Hindu, a TIGER born in 1926. Man who kept Identity of common #Marathi man intact, who put #Dharama first,” wrote one follower on Twitter.

Remembering an Unapologetic Hindu,a TIGER born in 1926.BAL THACKERAY aka #BalasahebThackerayMan who kept Identity of common #Marathi man intact,who put #Dharama first.He’s the reason behind BOMBAY being called MUMBAIMARINE DRIVE becameNETAJI SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE Marg. pic.twitter.com/UJmNBXLRGQ

— Jyoti pendse