Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray has termed the spectacular victory of Narendra Modi [Images] in the Gujarat assembly elections as the 'strengthening of Hindu unity'.

In an editorial in Monday's edition of his party mouthpiece Saamna, he expressed confidence that Modi's agenda of development and Hindutva would continue in the future.

The Sena chief observed that United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi [Images] and the Congress tried to harm Modi's chances at the hustings by raising the Sohrabuddin encounter case.

"But, the people of Gujarat have taught the Congress a lesson," the Sena chief said.

He also ridiculed the Left's reaction that Modi should be defeated ideologically, if not politically.

Thackeray noted that Modi's victory in Gujarat was on expected lines and was a slap in the face of political pundits. The BJP may have lost eight to nine seats, but it is not a setback, he added.