Bal Thackeray undergoes heart surgery (Lead)

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray underwent an emergency angioplasty operation at the Lilavati Hospital here Tuesday morning, a party insider said.

The surgery was successful and he has been shifted to the intensive cardiac care unit. He is expected to remain in hospital for the next few days, the party source said requesting anonymity.

The 83-year-old leader was admitted to the hospital Monday evening following breathing problems. He had undergone an angiography to detect possible heart blockages in the early hours Tuesday, the source said.

The Lilavati Hospital has set up a five-member panel to treat Thackeray - Jaleel Parker, who has been regularly treating him; J.J. Dalal, Samuel Mathew, Ajit Menon and Prakash Jindani, who examined the senior leader to determine the course of treatment Monday.

After the angiography in the morning, the medical panel suggested an angioplasty on the aged leader who has been keeping frail health since some time, the source said.

Thackeray's son Udhav, who is the Sena executive president, has cut short his trip to the US and is expected return to Mumbai later Tuesday.

Thackeray's estranged nephew and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, senior party leaders like Manohar Joshi, party MPs, legislators and senior leaders of the ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been thronging the hospital to inquire after his health.

Thackeray had been admitted to the same hospital June 18 for treating certain respiratory problems, causing concern among family and party members. He was discharged after six days in hospital.

Earlier, in March this year, Thackeray had spent 11 days in Lilavati Hospital for similar health complaints.

Last updated on Jul 7^th, 2009 at 13:03 pm IST--IANS