New Delhi, Nov. 15 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, several top industrialists and other luminaries from various walks of life visited ailing Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray at the latter's Matoshree residence in suburban Bandra here on Thursday, even as there were conflicting reports about the state of his health.
While some media reports said he was still in a state of medical criticality till late this evening, other reports said he had been taken off ventilator support and was responding well to the medical treatment on offer.
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan along with father Salim and brother Arbaaz Khan, actor Nana Patekar, actors Randhir Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor and filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar visited Thackeray's residence earlier today.
Several prominent politicians like BJP's Nitin Gadkari and Gopinath Munde and NCP's Sharad Pawar, Chairman of Videocon Industries Ltd. Venugopal Dhoot and Bajaj Auto Chairman Rahul Bajaj have visited the Thackeray home so far.
Shiv Sena leader Subhash Desai on Thursday said that his party supremo Bal Thackeray's heath is improving steadily.
Addressing the assembled crowd and mediapersons outside Thackeray's Matoshree residence in suburban Bandra here, Desai said: "His condition is improving steadily. The improvement of Shiv Sena pramukh's health is a result of the prayers for him and we hope he will be in better condition soon.
"Davaai ke saath dua ka bhi asar ho raha hai (Along with medicines, the good wishes are also helping his health)," he added.
Thackeray's son Uddhav earlier appealed to the people outside their residence to maintain calm.
"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," he said.
Actor Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek were among Thackeray's late-night visitors yesterday. Actor Sanjay Dutt and his wife Manyata, also met Thackeray's family last night.
The health condition of Bal Thackeray, 86, turned very critical on Wednesday night and he was put on life-support system. A team of doctors stationed inside 'Matoshree' with nursing staff has been taking care of the Sena patriarch, who is having breathing problems.
Several leaders, including former President Pratibha Patil, have also visited Thackeray's residence over the past few days to enquire about his health. (ANI)