Raj Thackeray meets ailing Sena chief

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Friday called on his ailing estranged uncle, Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, at the Lilavati Hospital in Bandra.

After meeting the 82-year-old Shiv Sena chief, Raj Thackeray told reporters that his uncle's health had improved.

Soon afterwards, several senior Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, prominent Mumbaikars and party activists also reached the hospital to enquire about Bal Thackeray's health, a party official said.

Bal Thackeray was admitted to the hospital on Thursday after an incessant bout of coughing. Although the party official said he was undergoing a "routine medical check-up", he was kept overnight in the intensive care unit (ICU).

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Thackeray, who is believed to be suffering from a minor lung infection, was scheduled to address a crucial party state executive committee meeting on Thursday along with son Udhav at the nearby Rang Sharda Auditorium.

However, Udhav skipped the party meeting and remained with his father, the party official said.