Bal Thackeray on Thursday retained the post of party chief at the two-day Shiv Sena conclave being held in Mahableshwar, Maharashtra, to elect a team of 14 leaders and 16 deputy leaders.

A new post was created for his son Uddhav, who will be executive president of the party, Sena sources said.

The election ended the succession war in the Shiv Sena between Thackeray's nephew Raj and Uddhav.

"I do not want to force either Raj or Uddhav on the party. I agreed to Uddhav's election only after being assured that it was based on popular choice by the party workers," Thackeray said.

Efforts by some people to create a rift between Uddhav and Raj had failed, the Sena chief said.

Apparently dissatisfied by the Election Commission's decision making it mandatory for political parties to hold internal polls, the Sena leader said each party should have the right to decide its own set-up.

"I have been entrusted with a special responsibility and will try to do justice to my job," Uddhav said.

Asked whether he would try to provide a new direction to the party, Uddhav said, "The party does not need any new direction. We will go by the directions laid down by our leader Bal Thackeray."

Recently, Uddhav had single-handedly ensured his party's success in the civic elections.

He had also spearheaded the party's ongoing agitation against the Democratic Front government.