Raj waits through Uddhav’s angioplasty Sena CEO’s Blocks In 3 Arteries Removed With Stents

Mumbai: Uddhav Thackeray's angioplasty at Lilavati Hospital on Friday "was successful", said Dr Samuel Mathew Kalarickal, who along with his team, conducted the operation on the Shiv Sena CEO. 

    Uddhav was admitted to the hospital in the morning, following which a large crowd of sainiks, including senior functionaries, converged on the place. MNS chief Raj Thackeray, along with his wife Sharmila and mother Kunda, were also present at the hospital through the procedure, yet again fuelling speculation over a possible reconciliation between the cousins. It is Sena chief Bal Thackeray who has reportedly asked Raj to be with Uddhav and a large section of the party think that buoyed by the development in the family, the Sena patriarch may work out the details of a Uddhav-Raj patch-up. During the procedure on Friday, Thackeray stayed in constant touch with Raj and other relatives at the hospital. Later in the afternoon, Uddhav spoke to Thackeray over mobile. 
    According to a hospital source, Uddhav is likely to be discharged on Sunday, an information confirmed by senior Sena leader Manohar Joshi while he spoke to reporters. "Uddhav Thackeray's operation was successful. His health is fine and he will be allowed to go home in a day or two, perhaps on Sunday," Joshi said. Dr Kalarickal said Uddhav would be back to work on Monday. 
    After the procedure, Raj and his family left Lilavati but he again called up his cousin in the evening to enquire after his health, a family source said. 
    Declining to discuss the details of the angioplasty, Uddhav's physician Dr Jalil Parker only offered that his "condition was stable". Cardiologist Dr Samuel Matthew Kalarickal who performed the angioplasty said, "Uddhav had blockages in three arteries. We have cleared them using multiple stents. He should be back to work on Monday." Another cardiologist from the team, Dr Ajit Menon, added, "The patient is doing very well." Though sources in Matoshree and Lilavati said eight stents were used to remove the blocks in Uddhav's arteries, there was no official confirmation. Each of the stents cost around Rs 1.25 lakh. Sources also said the doctors found another blockage but they decided against stenting it. "They found the block to be stable. They will monitor his health from time to time and decide on the course of action in future," said a source. 
    Uddhav's angioplasty has apparently blurred the differences among party activists. "Uddhavji has become a rallying point for sainiks. This is crucial as the party is passing through a rough patch," a member said. Stating that all party members have a close bond with the Thackeray clan, the Sena functionary said, "Partymen sink their differences and rally round the family in its hour of crisis. This helps Matoshree revamp the organization and infuse zeal into the rank and file. This is in keeping with the traditional Indian values."

Raj Thackeray arrives at Lilavati Hospital on Friday