Aaditya Thackeray's new position will give him more power and opportunity to hone his leadership skills ahead of major polls next year. File pic

Political heir apparent to his father, Aaditya Thackeray, was on Tuesday promoted as a 'leader' of the Shiv Sena. The party's national executive endorsed the youth leader's new role amid much fanfare. The elevation has further consolidated Aaditya's number two position in the party. Aaditya's promotion has been in the pipeline for long, and the party was awaiting a grand occasion to announce it, said sources.