Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray passes away

Mumbai, Nov 17: Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray, who was critically ill for the past few days, passed away at his residence 'Matoshree' in suburban Bandra on Saturday.

He was 86. "He had suffered a cardiac arrest. We could not revive him despite our best efforts. He breathed his last at around 3:30 PM," Dr Jalil Parkar, who treated the Sena supremo, told reporters after emerging from Thackeray residence Saturday evening.

Thackeray had been suffering from respiratory problems and pancreatic disease.

He is survived by sons Jaidev and Uddhav, who is the Executive President of the party.

Senior party leaders and Bal Thackeray's nephew Raj Thackeray along with family and other political leaders rushed to 'Matoshree'.

Meanwhile, security has been stepped up in the metropolis in the wake of Thackeray's death.

The police also made the mediapersons move to a distance from Matoshree.

President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condoled the death of Thackeray.

Dr Singh cancelled a dinner for BJP leaders scheduled on Saturday ahead of Parliament session following Sushma Swaraj's request.

Thackeray's body to be kept for `darshan' at Shivaji Park

The body of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray would be kept for `darshan' at Shivaji Park ground in central Mumbai on Sunday.

Shivaji Park was the place where the very first rally of Shiv Sena was held, and where Thackeray held his annual Dussehra rallies year after year.

This year, however, he had not been able to attend the event because of ill-health.

Sena spokesperson and MP Sanjay Raut said in Mumbai that the party workers would be able to pay last respects to the Sena supremo from 7.00 am tomorrow at Shivaji Park.

"People should maintain peace and should not lose calm. We should carry on the thoughts of Shiv Sena chief," Raut said.

The party has appealed the workers not to come to `Matoshree', the Thackeray residence, but go to Shivaji Park instead.