Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray has come out in strong support of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership qualities, saying the `BJP needs Modi, who is a `swayambhu (self-created) leader.

“BJP needs Modi. Our ally (BJP) may not like this statement but it is in my genes to tell the truth,” an editorial in Sena mouthpiece `Saamana, of which Thackeray is the editor, said.

Referring to Modi as `Sardar-Modi’, the veteran Shiv Sena leader said he was a `swayambhu’ leader who has the power to get what he wants `by even bending Delhi.

The Sena chief also wrote about the coming together of the Yadavs in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for gaining power in Delhi and said leaders of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka should also come together to fight for their rights.

Last month Shiv Sena chief had said he prevailed on BJP leader L K Advani not to remove Narendra Modi from the chief ministerial chair in Gujarat after the Godhra riots.

“Modi gaya to Gujarat gaya (If Modi is gone, Gujarat will also slip out of BJP hands),” Thackeray had claimed as telling Advani.