Thackeray congratulates Pawar for his statement

Mumbai, Sep 24 (UNI) Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, known to have special affection for NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, has congratulated him for his statement that nobody gains publicity by arranging grand celebrations or appearing in hoardings.

Mr Pawar had made the statement during a recent Iftaar party organised by the NCP.

Though the Sena supremo applauded Mr Pawar in an editorial that appeared in the Shiv Sena mouthpiece ''Saamna'', he also said the Iftaar celebrations, which were earlier held at homes, are now being politicised.

Such politics did not exist during the era of Y B Chavan or Vasantrao Naik, he noted.

Mr Thackeray, who had earlier said that Mr Pawar has the capacity to lead the country, stated that if Mr Pawar becomes the Prime Minister, he would have to take oath wearing a ''Kolhapuri pheta'' and not a ''phur cap''.

UNI JM SR ATI HT1725