Mumbai, Jan 23 (IANS): Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, son of the late party supremo Bal Thackeray, formally took charge as the party president Wednesday.

Even as the decision was on expected lines, the timing of the event was symbolic as the party observed the birth anniversary of Bal Thackeray, who passed away Nov 17 last year aged 86.

The decision was officially announced after the party's national executive meet Wednesday where the members anointed Uddhav, 52, as the new party president.

Even after Uddhav taking over as president, the late Sena patriarch will continue to be known as 'pramukh' (supremo), a party official said.

The Shiv Sena was founded four decades ago by Bal Thackeray.

At a party meeting Dec 3 last year, his son Uddhav Thackeray announced he would continue to remain the executive president - a post he occupies since 2004 - and vowed "to take the party forward".

After that, he had gone on a state tour to meet and interact with party workers across Maharashtra.