Bal Thackeray's health a matter of concern, stable presently: Uddhav

Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray denied that a meeting of party MPs and legislators held today had anything to do with the deteriorating health of the party’s founder Bal Thackeray. “The meeting was routine to discuss political issues…. His (Bal Thackeray’s) health is of concern for all, including me, but his health is stable for now”, said Uddhav to reporters gathered outside the Sena leader’s residence in suburban Bandra. “We will be having other meetings with our elected representatives in the future as well.” The meeting was seen to be unusual, given that such gatherings are normally held just ahead of Parliament sessions. But given that the winter session is almost three weeks away, speculation was rife that Thackeray’s health could be the reason. The 86-year-old Thackeray, who founded the Shiv Sena in 1966, has been in poor health for a while and, at a Dussehra rally in Mumbay last week addressed party workers via a recorded video message, asking them to support his son Uddhav and grandson Aditya. [caption id=“attachment_512601” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Reuters[/caption] “I have collapsed physically…I can’t walk…I am tired,” he had said in what was seen by many as an indication of his retirement from public life. He has also been receiving a stream of visitors. Yesterday, Thackeray’s nephew, Raj, who formed the rival MNS in 2006, met the ailing Sena chief, which marks their fourth meeting in as many months. CNN-IBN reported that Maharashtra minister and senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal also went to see him on Thursday, calling on him a few hours after Raj, Sena sources said. Senior politicians, including NCP chief Sharad Pawar, BJP leaders Nitin Gadkari and Gopinath Munde, MNS chief Raj Thackeray, Sena leaders Manohar Joshi and Subhash Desai and RPI leader Ramdas Athavale have also visited him over the last few months.