Mumbai disrupted as politician fights for his life

Parts of Mumbai were shut down on Thursday as supporters of nationalist leader Bal Keshav Thackeray flocked into India's commercial capital, alarmed by reports that he was close to death after a sharp decline in his health.

An official of Thackeray's Shiv Sena party told Reuters that the 86-year-old was in a critical condition and on a ventilator, with doctors attending to him around the clock.  

Hundreds of Thackeray's followers kept vigil outside his house in Mumbai's central suburbs on Thursday, under a heavy police presence, including riot officers who barricaded roads and set up a security cordon in case of violence. Protests by party supporters in the past have led to violence.

Shops in areas of Mumbai where Shiv Sena has strong support were shuttered and roads in the typically bustling business district were quiet. The financial markets operated normally, but some banks allowed employees to go home early. 

Rumours spread on social media sites on Wednesday that Thackeray had died, but a Shiv Sena spokesman said his condition had improved on Thursday.

"He is being given the best treatment there and his condition is stable," Sanjay Raut said. "He is responding to treatment. His condition had worsened last night, but right now he is responding to treatment." 

Shiv Sena, which has controlled Mumbai's city council since 1996, is a key ally of the nationalist opposition Bharatiya Janata Party. 


 

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