Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray dies

[1]

Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray died on Saturday following multiple organ failure. He took his last breath at 3:30PM.

He was on critical life support since Wednesday and his condition had deteriorated on Wednesday night as he was suffering from multiple ailments.

The 86-year-old Thackeray has been suffering from breathing problems and has been occasionally put on oxygen.

Police have stepped up security at Matoshree, Mumbai.

Rumours of his demise were in the air on Thursday morning itself as the State Government had deployed two battalions of Rapid Action Force and a large contingent of the local police. The Sena supremo’s residence at Bandra West was cordoned off in the morning as supporters continued to pour in.

And then came the news that President Pranab Mukherjee had cancelled his two-day trip to Maharashtra.

The president was scheduled to present the Jamnalal Baja Awards at a function in Mumbai Thursday evening.

Mumbai Police and other security agencies deployed tight security outside 'Matoshri', the clan's home in Bandra west. Over 350 police personnel led by top officers were engaged in beefing up security arrangements in the vicinity.

All roads leading to 'Matoshri' were also barricaded and even some party leaders had to abandon their vehicles near the Western Express Highway and walk the short route to the Thackeray household.

Traffic jams were reported on major roads to the north and south of Bandra inconveniencing thousands of people celebrating Diwali.

A large number of VIPs trooped in and out of Thackeray’s residence on Thursday, adding fuel to the rumours.

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.

Later, state Tourism Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Bollywood mega-star Amitabh Bachchan accompanied by son Abhishek, Sanjay Dutt and wife Manyata were among other prominent personalities who went to Matoshri.