Bal Thackeray 'stable'; we are hopeful, Uddhav says| Nov 15, 2012, 12.00 PM IST
MUMBAI:
The health of Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray, who was in a critical condition last night, is "stable" now, party spokesman Sanjay Raut said on Thursday morning.
"Balasaheb is stable now. Need not worry. He is responding to doctors' efforts," Raut, a Rajya Sabha MP, said.Doctors attending to Thackeray (86) had said on Wednesday night that he was in a "very critical" condition and on life support system.
None of the doctors attending on him were available for the latest update on his condition on Thursday.
BJP leader Gopinath Munde who visited 'Matoshree' on Thursday morning told reporters that "the Sena chief's health is better than last night".
As news spread about Thackeray's health, several party workers started assembling outside his residence 'Matoshree' in suburban Bandra, where security has been stepped up.
A number of Shiv Sena MPs, legislators and senior leaders also reached Thackeray's residence as the word spread.
Security outside 'Matoshree' has been beefed up with police setting up barricades to streamline flow of crowds.
Police personnel all over the state are told to be on alert.
The party executive president Uddhav Thackeray had on Wednesday night appealed to Shiv Sainiks to maintain calm and pray for senior Thackeray's health.
"I have not lost hope. We are facing a crisis, we shall overcome," Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray said. "We are hopeful. You be hopeful. Let's pray."
Uddhav stepped outside the Thackeray home 'Matoshri' briefly around 2am to address the massive crowd of anxious party activists who gathered there since late Wednesday.
Accompanied by son Aditya, Uddhav appealed to the people to "remain calm and maintain peace" and ensure that the image of 'Matoshri' is not spoiled.
"The team of doctors is continuing their efforts....Balasaheb's self-determination is very strong... We are facing a crisis, we shall overcome," Uddhav assured his supporters.
He added that Thackeray was responding positively to the medical treatment being administered by the doctors and urged his supporters to pray for their leader's health and co-operate in maintaining peace.
The 86-year-old Thackeray has been suffering from breathing problems and has been occasionally put on oxygen.
Besides all members of the Thackeray family, nephew Raj Thackeray and his wife Sharmila, top Shiv Sena leaders like ex-Lok Sabha speaker Manohar Joshi, senior leader Subhash Desai, party MP Sanjay Raut, legislators Ramdas Kadam, Eknath Shinde and other elected representatives at various levels, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Vinod Tawade and others rushed to the bungalow around midnight.
Maharashtra on maximum alert
Former President Pratibha Patil called on Matoshree early this week to inquire after Balasaheb's health. Maharashtra leaders, including Chhagan Bhujbal, Gopinath Munde, Ramdas Athavale too paid a visit to Matoshree. NCP chief Sharad Pawar made a call to Thackeray's son, Uddhav on Tuesday and inquired after the Sena chief's health. Bollywood mega-star Amitabh Bachchan accompanied by son Abhishek, Sanjay Dutt and wife Manyata were among other prominent personalities who went to Matoshri.
Meanwhile, the entire state was put on maximum alert in view of the deteriorating condition of the Sena supremo. In a wireless message to all the police commissioners and SPs, the state home department asked them to deploy not only companies of the state reserve police force, but also rapid action force companies. "Ensure that adequate police force is deployed in your jurisdiction and if someone is taking the law into his hand or creating communal tension, deal with them with an iron hand," a senior IPS officer quoted the message as saying.
(With inputs from agencies)
Bal Thackeray 'stable'; we are hopeful, Uddhav says - The Times of India