Shiv Sena party has put an end to the concerns over the health of its chief Bal Thackeray, stating that there is nothing to worry about the party supremo's health as he is stable and responding to the treatment.
The 86-year-old Shiv Sena supremo was taken critically ill on Wednesday evening, forcing doctors to put him on a life support and sending panic waves among his party members and fans.
Shiv Sena's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut told reporters on Thursday that Thackeray's condition was critical on Wednesday but he started responding to treatment On Thursday and was removed from life support. Raut also requested party workers not to gather at the chief's residence, Matoshree, in suburban Bandra.
Heavy security was deployed at Thackeray's home to avoid any untoward incidents from the fans and well-wishers who have gathered around the resident following the news of his illness. The Maharashtra government had deployed about 48,000 policemen in Mumbai city and the Centre Government too assured all help to prevent any violent incidents should the Shiv Sena chief's health deteriorates.
Uddhav, son of Bal Thackeray, on Wednesday night urged Shiv Sena party workers to stay calm and not resort to violence. He also requested them to pray for the speedy recovery of his father.
Many big personalities, mainly from political field, visited the ailing Shiv Sena chief at his residence on Wednesday. The big names include, Bal Thackeray's nephew Raj Thackeray, BJP president Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Bollywood personalities like Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek, Madhur Bhandarkar and Salman Khan.
Bachchans Mobbed by Fans
Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek suffered minor injuries after they were mobbed by fans while visiting ailing family friend and Shiv Sena chief, Bal Thackeray on Wednesday.
Amitabh Bachchan confirmed the incident by tweeting, "Yes both Abhishek and me were injured with cuts, but are fine and back home ... the doctors at 'Matoshree' attended on us !"
"Balasaheb Thackeray: a fighter all his life, fights his life !! Prayers needed now ! When I fought for my life after 'Coolie' accident, he came to visit me in hospital, with a cartoon he had drawn - Yamraj defeated ! Yamraj - God of Death, defeated by me..wish I was as proficient a cartoonist as he, for tonight I would wish to draw that for him !" tweeted the actor.
Amitabh said that Thackeray stood by his family both during good times and bad times.
"When Jaya and I married, he called us to his house .. and the rituals that were conducted was of the 'bahu' coming home !From that day on he always treated us as family ..When I was flown in to Mumbai from Bangalore in semi conscious state after 'Coolie' accident, it was his ambulance that took me to BC: Breach Candy Hospital. When the Bofors Scandal accusations on us were at its peak, he called me home and asked "tell me the truth, are you involved ?" When I said "NO !", he said "Then do not worry about anything. I am with you. You are an actor, go do what you are best at," he concluded.
