Mumbai, Apr 25 (PTI) Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray was of the view that elected leaders who betray the party should face strict consequences, Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant said in a veiled jibe at the rival Sena, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
He said Thackeray’s thoughts remain relevant, particularly his emphasis on loyalty and commitment to the organisation.
“A person who gets elected after being given a ticket by a party but does not remain loyal to it is betraying the party. Balasaheb Thackeray used to say that such betrayal should not be tolerated and strict action should follow,” the Mumbai South MP said while addressing the 44th edition of the Jai Maharashtra Nagar lecture series in Borivali on Friday.
The lecture, titled “Aathvanitle Balasaheb” (Memories of Balasaheb), was organised to mark Thackeray’s birth centenary year.
Sawant said Thackeray founded the Shiv Sena to fight for the legitimate rights of Marathi-speaking people and later adopted a Hindutva stance.
Referring to the Babri Masjid demolition, Sawant said that when BJP leader Sunder Singh Bhandari distanced the party from the incident, Thackeray had openly declared that if Shiv Sainiks were involved, he was proud of them.
He said Thackeray never sought anything for himself, but empowered ordinary Shiv Sainiks and ensured their growth.
“Thackeray paid close attention to the welfare of party workers. He would often ask whether a Shiv Sainik had eaten or was facing any difficulty. He was compassionate and generous, yet firm when required,” Sawant added. PTI MR NSK
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.