Thackeray mourns Chandra Shekhar's death

Mumbai, July 9 (UNI) Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray has mourned the death of former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar.

In a statement in his party mouthpiece ''Saamna'', Mr Thackeray said his close personal ties with the late leader remained consistent despite changing political equations. He recalled his meeting with Chandra shekhar at Raj Bhavan when he visited the city in his capacity as the Prime Minister.

Mr Thackeray said in recent years, both could not meet each other personally, but kept in touch over the telephone. ''We would discuss political issues,'' he added.

The Sena supremo recalled one such telephonic talk during the Presidential poll when K R Narayanan was the candidate supported by several political parties. ''I had put up former Chief Election Commissioner T N Seshan. Chandra shekhar told me that the election to the Post of the President should be uncontested. I replied that I had nothing against Narayanan who was a learned man and an intellectual. But,I resent the campaign for him on grounds of his caste. I will not support anybody on caste basis. Chandra shekhar probably understood my genuine stand. He just said ''aachhi baat hai'' and closed the chapter. Narayanan won and Seshan lost, but our relationship did not sour,'' the Sena chief recalled.

UNI