Pranab Mukherjee should reject Afzal's plea, create history: Bal Thackeray

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray today said that Pranab Mukherjee should begin his tenure as President by rejecting the mercy plea of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and create history.

Congratulating Mukherjee on his election as the 13th President, Thackeray said we have great expectations from Pranab Mukherjee.

"First of all, reject Afzal's mercy petition and hang him. The terrorist who attacked the sovereignty of the country should not stay alive," Sena mouthpiece 'Samana' quoted Thackeray as saying.

"You (Pranab) will have to perform this sacred duty," he said.

Recalling the contribution of 'Lal, Bal and Pal' (Lala Lajpat Rai, Balgangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal) in the freedom struggle, he said even today the magic of this triumvirate remains.

"Lal's Punjab is occupying the Prime Ministerial post but the country has not got the required strength. This is because of the hollow functioning (of the government) under Sonia Gandhi's blessings. Nobody can occupy the place of Tilak. Now Pal's place is taken by Pranab Mukherjee. It is a matter of pride," Thackeray said.