Estranged Raj Thackeray rushes to ailing Uddhav

Mumbai, July 17: When one cousin's heart became cause for concern, the other cousin's heart melted. On Monday, when Uddhav Thackeray, executive president of the Shiv Sena, was hospitalized on account of a suspected heart ailment, his estranged cousin Raj Thackeray cut short his two-day party conclave in Alibaug to be at his bedside at Lilavati Hospital. Later in the evening, he drove Uddhav home in a silver Mercedes. This was the first time in six years that the two had come face to face.

Uddhav was in hospital for a coronary angiography. His personal physician, Dr Jalil Parker, told TOI that he was evaluated for chest discomfort. "He will be back for a check-up soon," he added.

However, sources in Matoshree, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's home, and Lilavati Hospital claimed that Uddhav had multiple heart blockages and would need to undergo an angioplasty or a bypass surgery at the earliest.

Sources also said that Thackeray Senior and the entire family would meet cardiologist Dr Matthew Samuel Kalarickal, who performed Monday's angiography, to discuss the next course of action. Incidentally, it was Dr Kalarickal who performed the angioplasty on the Sena patriarch three years ago.

A final decision on whether Uddhav, who turns 52 on July 26, will undergo bypass surgery or opt for angioplasty will be taken by the family, the sources added. It is learned that Uddhav had gone to Lilavati Hospital on Thursday for a stress test but the results were not satisfactory. "Hence, the doctors decided to call him on Monday morning for an angiography," said sources. The medical team comprised Dr Kalarickal and cardiologists Ajit Menon and Ajit Desai.

But the news of his heart disease brought about what is being described as a political coup—the two estranged Thackeray cousins met each other for the first time in six years. Raj had quit all Sena posts in 2005 and in 2009 had walked out of Matoshree to launch the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

"Uddhavji is perfectly fine. The doctors have told us there is no need to panic. Given the fact that age is on his side and that his lifestyle is healthy, a decision on angiography or bypass can be taken in the course of time," a close relative said.

News of Uddhav's hospitalization spread like wildfire across Mumbai and Shiv Sainiks rushed to hospital. Key party leaders, too, flocked to Lilavati Hospital.