Uddhav Thackeray rushes to hospital for angioplasty

Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, son of Balaji Saheb Thackeray was admitted to Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai Friday morning for undergoing to an angioplasty procedure, party officials said.

He was accompanied by his family members.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief and Uddhav's cousin Raj Thackeray joined him later.

Uddhav, 51, had been admitted to hospital after chest pain last Monday where angiography was performed, which revealed at least three blockages.

The implications of Uddhav's health condition are a matter of concern for his family and the Shiv Sena as well as its allies Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Republican Party of India (RPI).

With Raj and Uddhav coming close after the health crisis, political circles here are discussing the possibility of new permutations and combinations emerging.

However, both Shiv Sena and Raj Thackeray have dismissed any political fall-out of the two cousins coming together, insisting that it was purely out of family relations.

Post-procedure, Uddhav is likely to remain in the hospital for at least two-three days and bounce back to normal by July 27, his birthday.

The team of doctors conducting an angioplasty on Uddhav is the same that had done the procedure on his father Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray in July 2009.

--With IANS Inputs--