Raj Thackeray paralyses Mumbai in 45 minutes

, Aug 21: The dream city Mumbai came to a standstill on Tuesday, Aug 21 when Maharashtra Navanirman Sena supremo

held his protest march.

More than 50,000 people gathered at Girgaum Chowpatty to join Thackeray who demanded the resignation of Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil and Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik.

Overruling police objections, Mr Thackeray along with the huge crowd rallied from Girgaum Chowpatty to the Marine Drive flyover and proceeded towards Azad Maidan via the Metro Cinema junction.

It was a 45 minutes journey from Girgaum Chowpatty to Azada Maidan which caused a massive traffic jam. Sources reported that Thackeray's supporters allegedly had forced traffic to a complete stop for about 40-45 minutes.

MNS decided to hold a rally to show their protest over the recent ruckus in Azad Maidan in which two people died and many more were injured.

Thousands of people had gathered at Azad Maidan on Aug 11 and protested against the government's inaction during the ethnic clashes which had rocked Assam. At least 80 people died and thousands of people were uprooted from their houses.

Raj Thackeray's party officials are reported to have asked its district units to send at least 1000 persons each for the rally. Police earlier on Tuesday granted permission only for a public rally and not for the march.

OneIndia News