MNS withdraws agitation against Bachchan family

Mumbai, Sep 11 (UNI) Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray today announced withdrawal of the party's agitation against the Bachchan family, after Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan tendered a public apology over his wife Jaya Bachchan's ''utterances''.

Mr Raj, who had announced a blanket ban on the release of all Bachchan family member's films earlier this week, after Samajwadi Party MP Jaya made certain off-the-cuff remarks on speaking in Hindi, told the newsmen here, '' I accept Amitabh's public apology and withdraw the agitation.'' ''Actually Ms Jaya Bachchan should made an apology, but being an elderly member of the family Mr Bachchan's has apologised for the remarks, we accept it and roll back our protests against them,'' the MNS Chief said.

The decks are now cleared for the release of Amitabh's English film ''The Last Lear'' tomorrow. The premiere of the film was cancelled last night after MNS activists pelted stones at the PVR theatre in Juhu.

Meanwhile, Mr Raj has criticised the Joint Police Commissioner (Law and Order) K L Prasad for meddling in politics. J C Prasad had said -- ''City Kisi ke Baap ki nahi, yeh pure Hindustan ki hai.'' Mr Raj said the joint commissioner is taking the path of Ms Bachchan. Government should take serious note of it.

''Mr Prasad should leave his police dress and chair, come on the streets and give such type of speech, then we will show whose Mumbai is,'' he challenged.

UNI ST SR OBB GT KN1403