Veer Savarkar Tribute, New Saffron Flag: Raj Thackeray Gives Bhagwa Makeover To MNS On Bal Thackeray’s Birthday

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Thursday (23 January) unveiled a new saffron flag with a seal dating back to the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji, reports India Today.

The party’s old flag had had blue, green and saffron bands and the image of a train engine. The makeover’s timing coincides with the birth anniversary of Bal Keshav Thackeray, founder of the Shiv Sena and Raj's uncle.

Additionally, a bust of Shivaji was displayed at an MNS state executive meeting held Thursday in suburban Mumbai, and one of the images displayed next to it was of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar along with images of Dr Ambedkar, Savitri Bai Phule and Prabodhankar Thackeray.

At present, the MNS has a single representative in the 289-member Maharashtra assembly. As per reports, senior MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande said that the new changes "will bring new energy" to Maharashtra, and a "new twist".