New Delhi [India], November 18 : Shinde-led Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora said that the Congress party has acknowledged Balasaheb Thackeray's legacy after 12 years.
Deora is also the party's candidate from Maharashtra's Worli assembly constituency for the upcoming polls scheduled to be held on November 20.
In a post on X, Deora said that he had proposed to declare a day of national mourning for Balasaheb to the UPA government in 2012 but his idea was "blocked by certain elements" within the alliance.
Deora also shared a picture of Balasaheb Thackeray as a tribute on the occasion of the veteran leader's death anniversary on Sunday.

"I welcome Congress finally acknowledging Balasaheb Thackeray's legacy after 12 years. In 2012, as a Union Minister from Mumbai, I proposed that the UPA declare a day of national mourning for Balasaheb. While then PM Dr Manmohan Singh seemed supportive, the idea was blocked by certain elements within the alliance," Deora said.
Paying tribute to Balasaheb Thackeray, Milind Deora said, "Today his fearless leadership is remembered. The voice fighting for the rights of Maharashtra still inspires us today. Balasaheb, you will be missed forever."
Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi earlier paid homage to Balasaheb Thackeray.
"Remembering Balasaheb Thackeray ji on his 12th death anniversary. My thoughts are with Uddhav Thackeray ji, Aditya and the entire Shiv Sena family," he said in a post on X.
Born on January 23, 1926, in Pune, Balasaheb Thackeray had begun his professional career as a cartoonist with the English-language daily 'The Free Press Journal'.
He later quit his professional job and founded the Shiv Sena in 1966 to advocate for the interests of the people of Maharashtra, particularly in Mumbai's political and professional landscape.
Thackeray was also the founder of the Marathi-language newspaper 'Saamana'. Despite his significant influence in politics, he did not hold any official positions during his political career.