Mahajan's last journey begins

Mumbai, May 4 (UNI) The funeral procession of senior BJP leader Pramod Mahajan started from his Worli residence here amid hysterical scenes and virtual stampede when police pall-bearers placed his body in an open flower-bedecked police truck.

The procession, led by a police band, began shortly after 1100 hrs.

The silver-coloured casket was wrapped in the national tri-colour. Mahajan is being accorded a state funeral as he was the defence minister in the shortlived government of Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

BJP president Rajnath Singh broke down as the pall-bearers placed the body of the 56-year-old leader in the truck on its last journey to the Shivaji Park crematorium.

Family members of Mr Mahjajan, including his wife Rekha and son Rahul, his brother-in-law Gopinath Munde and latter's wife Pradyna, besides Mr Venkaiah Naidu and State party president Nitin Gadkari were in the truck.

Earlier, Rekha started crying when police removed the casket from Poorna building and Pradyna, sister of Mahajan, was seen consoling her. His second sister Pratibha and brother Prakash were also present.

The family of Mr Mahjan's youngest brother, Pravin Mahajan, had informed the police yesterday that they would not attend the funeral.

It was Pravin who allegedly shot his elder brother on April 22 inside Mahajan's Worli residence.

Mahajan succumbed to his injuries yesterday afternoon after battling for his life for 12 days.

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