Bal Thackeray critical, doctors say he's on life support

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray continues to be critical in Mumbai. Doctors treating the 86-year-old at his Matoshree residence say he is on life support. A large crowd of Shiv Sainiks gathered outside his house in Bandra late on Wednesday night.

Several legislators and film personalities, including Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek visited Matoshree on Wednesday night to inquire about Thackeray's health. Amitabh Bachchan who spent quite a few hours at Matoshree later tweeted that prayers were needed at this hour. "Balasaheb Thackeray : a fighter all his life, fights his life !! Prayers needed now! When I fought for my life after 'Coolie' accident, he came to visit me in hospital, with a cartoon he had drawn - Yamraj defeated ! Yamraj - God of Death, defeated by me..wish I was as proficient a cartoonist as he, for tonight I would wish to draw that for him (sic)," he tweeted.

Working President of the Shiv Sena and Bal Thackeray's son Uddhav Thackeray appealed for calm in his address to those assembled outside their residence. He said, "Balasaheb has strong will power. We will come out of this problem. Don't trust rumours. Make peace We are hopeful. You should be hopeful as well. Let's pray for Balasaheb."

According to the latest reports, traffic to the residence of Thackeray has been blocked and there is heavy presence of police personnel in the area. This comes hours after reports said that the Shiv Sena supremo is on continuous oxygen and not eating anything. "Bal Thackeray is not on ventilator, but is on continuous oxygen," his close source said on Tuesday. He said the 86-year-old Sena patriarch, who has been suffering from breathing problems, continues to be under medical supervision.

"His health is not so good. He is not eating anything," he said. A number of leaders including former President Pratibha Patil have visited Thackeray's residence 'Matoshree' over the past few days to enquire about his health. Meanwhile, President Pranab Mukherjee has cancelled his trip to Mumbai amidst reports of Bal Thackeray's deteriorating health.