<p>Stating that he had not "completely collapsed", ailing Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray Monday admitted his health was "not that good" but denied that he was on a ventilator. <br /><br /></p>.<p>"My health is not that good, but I have not completely collapsed. I am not on a ventilator," Thackeray declared in a personalised edit in the party mouthpiece Saamna Monday after reports in a section of the media that his health had deteriorated sharply and he had been put on a ventilator.<br /><br />The 86-year-old has been suffering from breathing problems and other age-related complaints. <br /><br />"I have nothing to hide on this issue. During the Dussehra rally last month, I took my party activists into confidence and made it clear publicly that my health was not too good," Thackeray said about his persisting health concerns.<br /><br />He also admitted that a team of doctors was making efforts to improve his condition. However, he said he had not yet reached a stage requiring "artificial respiration" as the love and affection of his supporters was acting like "a breath of fresh air".<br /><br />Thackeray said his son Uddhav (who is recuperating from an angioplasty performed a few days ago) was looking after him round-the-clock as other family members.<br /><br />"Even (nephew) Raj Thackeray keeps coming regularly. Yesterday (Sunday), former president Pratibha Patil had come. I also read the newspapers as usual, but I don't speak on the phone, that's all," Thackeray said, assuring his health was stable.<br /><br />Thackeray conveyed his Diwali greetings to the people of Maharashtra and his party activists, Raj had told mediapersons after visiting his uncle Sunday evening.<br /><br /></p>
<p>Stating that he had not "completely collapsed", ailing Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray Monday admitted his health was "not that good" but denied that he was on a ventilator. <br /><br /></p>.<p>"My health is not that good, but I have not completely collapsed. I am not on a ventilator," Thackeray declared in a personalised edit in the party mouthpiece Saamna Monday after reports in a section of the media that his health had deteriorated sharply and he had been put on a ventilator.<br /><br />The 86-year-old has been suffering from breathing problems and other age-related complaints. <br /><br />"I have nothing to hide on this issue. During the Dussehra rally last month, I took my party activists into confidence and made it clear publicly that my health was not too good," Thackeray said about his persisting health concerns.<br /><br />He also admitted that a team of doctors was making efforts to improve his condition. However, he said he had not yet reached a stage requiring "artificial respiration" as the love and affection of his supporters was acting like "a breath of fresh air".<br /><br />Thackeray said his son Uddhav (who is recuperating from an angioplasty performed a few days ago) was looking after him round-the-clock as other family members.<br /><br />"Even (nephew) Raj Thackeray keeps coming regularly. Yesterday (Sunday), former president Pratibha Patil had come. I also read the newspapers as usual, but I don't speak on the phone, that's all," Thackeray said, assuring his health was stable.<br /><br />Thackeray conveyed his Diwali greetings to the people of Maharashtra and his party activists, Raj had told mediapersons after visiting his uncle Sunday evening.<br /><br /></p>