Uddhav Thackeray Admitted to Hospital for Heart Tests in Mumbai
Mumbai: Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra and leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT), Uddhav Thackeray, was admitted to a Mumbai hospital on Monday for a series of tests aimed at identifying potential blockages in his heart and arteries. Official sources indicate that an angiography procedure is likely to follow these initial assessments.
Reports from various media outlets reveal that Thackeray has been experiencing health issues since the Dussehra rally held on October 12, where he delivered a fervent speech that criticized the current Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and the central administration.
This news comes as a developing story, and further updates are anticipated in the coming hours.
Thackeray’s Medical History
Thackeray’s health concerns are not new. In 2016, he was discharged from Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai after undergoing an angiography. This procedure was necessary after an earlier angioplasty on July 20, 2012, during which doctors inserted eight stents to treat multiple blockages found in three significant coronary arteries. His medical history includes a second angioplasty performed in November 2012, aimed at alleviating nearly 60 per cent blockage in the left anterior descending artery (LAD), a critical vessel supplying blood to the heart.
Political Context and Upcoming Elections
Amid his health challenges, Thackeray has remained politically active. Recently, he mentioned that the MVA would announce their candidate for Chief Minister only after the Maha Yuti alliance reveals theirs. The Maha Yuti coalition comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and the Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena. In contrast, the MVA includes the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar’s faction).
During a joint press conference, Thackeray stated, “The BJP’s situation is so dire that they have to campaign under the leadership of thieves and traitors. Let Maha Yuti announce their CM candidate first, and then we will disclose our candidate.” He emphasized that it is the responsibility of the ruling Maha Yuti to make the first announcement regarding their candidate.
Future Political Landscape
As Maharashtra approaches Assembly elections later this year, the Election Commission of India has yet to announce the official dates, making the political atmosphere even more charged. Thackeray’s hospitalization adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding political scenario in the state as parties prepare for a potentially contentious electoral battle.
As news of his condition unfolds, both his supporters and political rivals will be watching closely to see how Thackeray’s health may impact his political activities and the broader electoral landscape in Maharashtra.