Bal Thackeray's 91st birth anniversary: Here are the lesser known facts about Shiv Sena's founder

On 23 January, Bal Thackeray, Indian politician who founded the Shiv Sena, a Hindu right-wing Marathi ethnocentric party, was born on this day and he need not any introduction in Political world. He is known as the most controversial leader of the country. Many times he was accused of breaking the law, but Thackeray kept speaking such words safely and independently. Despite the allegations of attacks on Babri demolition and North Indians, Thackeray remained the center of power in Maharashtra.

Bal Thackeray was also a fan of former Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar. But once Sachin said that India has the right on Maharashtra, after which Thackeray fumed in anger and said that he should remain on the pitch of the game.

Thackeray was considered a tough and hardcore politician. Interestingly, he was a cartoonist by profession. A man who had been humorous in art was considered as ruthless in politics.

Bal Thackeray was a supporter of the emergency which is called the dark chapter of Indian democracy. He made open statements in favor of that time.

As a natural heir of Thackeray who died on 17 November 2012 at age 86, people did not consider his son Uddhav as charismatic as Bal Thackeray.

“It is not Balasaheb’s Shiv Sena any longer, but that is not a negative point. Uddhav has led Sena much better than many including some of us in the BJP thought. Many political pundits had commented that after Balasaheb’s death, half the Sena cadres would shift to Raj Thackeray but that has not happened. In fact Raj seems to be struggling more,” said once a Mumbai BJP leader.

People had hoped that Thackeray's command would be handed over to Raj but it happened exactly opposite. After this, Raj left the Shiv Sena and formed his party MNS.

Thackeray had a deep relation with Bollywood film industry. When actor Sanjay Dutt was going through a difficult time while facing TADA, then he sought every possible help from Thackeray.