By IANS,
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condoled the death of Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray Saturday, saying he always strived to inculcate a sense of pride in the people of the Maharashtra and appealed for calm and sobriety during this period of loss and mourning.
“The passing away of Balasaheb will be deeply felt by his family and followers. The interests of Maharashtra were particularly important for him and he always strived to inculcate a sense of pride in the people of the state,” said the prime minister after Thackeray, 86, passed away Saturday due to health complications.
“He founded the Shiv Sena and built the party into a formidable force in the state politics with his strong leadership and extraordinary organisational skills. He was a consummate communicator whose stature in the politics of Maharashtra was unique,” said the prime minister, according to an official statement.