After the BJP criticised Shiv Sena (UBT) chief for his opening remarks while addressing the INDIA bloc rally in Mumbai, Thackeray on Monday defended his 'patriot' invocation instead of 'Hindu', reported PTI. Thackeray said he used the "deshpremi" word because the INDIA bloc wanted to save the country and democracy.

In the INDIA bloc rally in the presence of Congress and other alliance party leaders, on Sunday at Shivaji Park, Thackeray had addressed the public as 'deshbhakt and deshpremi brothers and sisters' instead of the traditional invocation of 'Hindu brothers and sisters'.