Thackeray's condition improving: Uddhav

Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray said here late Thursday that his ailing father and party chief Bal Thackeray's condition was 'stable'. Restive crowds thronged his residence Matoshri and parts of the city remained closed during the day.

"He is stable and we are doing everything we can...His health is improving...He is better than yesterday...We have still not given up hopes," Uddhav declared before a large crowd of activists and media-persons outside the family residence Matoshri in Bandra east around 11 p.m..

"We are all praying for him, and it is the strength of our prayers that will see him through this crisis," Uddhav said, in his fourth media appearance in the past 20 hours. Earlier in the day, other party leaders also made similar statements on the 86-year old leader's health condition.

"We appeal to all to remain calm and pray for him. We are grateful for the prayers and support of millions of Thackeray's admirers and supporters all over India," party leader Subhash Desai said in the evening. He told reporters that a team of doctors was constantly attending on Thackeray and his condition was "gradually improving".

Other leaders, including Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, also Thackeray's nephew, assured the people that his condition was "stabilising".