Mumbai: Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray today (March 16, 2004) expressed his gratitude to cricketer Zaheer Khan for describing him as a secular leader in Indian polity.

Thackeray was reacting to Zaheer Khan's interview in Pakistan's leading newspaper 'Dawn' in which the cricketer said that the Sena chief was not against Muslims and lamented that certain vested interests were bent upon tarnishing his image by describing him as "anti-Muslim".

Zaheer had also told the Pakistan media that patriot Muslims in India had no difficulty with Thackeray or the Shiv Sena. Only those indulging in subversive activities were opposed to the saffron party, he said.

Zaheer's interview was carried by Sena's mouthpiece 'Saamna'.

Inaugurating an Ayurveda treatment centre in suburban Andheri, the Sena chief said he was proud of Zaheer Khan and described him as a "real Hindustani Muslim".

About the ongoing cricket matches between India and Pakistan, he hoped the home team would keep the Indian flag flying high.

Thackeray said the Mumbai-Pune Expressway should be named after eminent Marathi literary personality late P L Deshpande.

He was speaking after inaugurating Ayurvedic and panchkarma treatment centre of renowned Ayurvaid Dr Balaji Tambe. This centre is on the lines of his Atmasantulan village located near Lonavala.

The centre, based on the philosophy of Vedas, offers holistic health care through ancient Indian traditions of Ayurveda, yoga, medication, music and the art of living.

Those present at the function include the Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, Rashmi Thackeray and Smita Thackeray and actors Om Puri and Alok Nath.