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Maharashtra Navnirman Sena supremo Raj Thackeray has accepted Amitabh Bachchan's apology, and said that he will take back his agitation against the Bachchan family.
"Actually, Jaya Bachchan should have made a public apology because she was the one, who made those remarks. But we are accepting Amitabh's apology, as he is head of the Bachchan family," Raj said in a press conference, held at his home in Mumbai. He said that he did not accept Amitabh's apology on his blog, as not many people read blogs.
"No one knew about his blog, that's why it was unacceptable. But now, since he has apologised publicly in a press conference , I accept his apology," Raj stated.
The controversy broke out after Jaya Bachchan made some infamous remarks at the Drona music function last Saturday. Soon after, MNS workers took to the streets and blackened the face of Amitabh Bachchan in posters promoting products that he endorses. Raj stated that the agitation will stop as soon as Bachchan's apologised publicly.
Mumbai police, which has issued gag orders against the
MNS chief, allowed him to hold the press conference.Raj said he had spoken to Mumbai police commissioner Hasan Gafoor yesterday and sought permission to put forth his views after Bachchan tendered the public apology on the issue.
Raj launched a vitriolic attack on Mumbai Joint Police Commissioner (Law and Order) K L Prasad for his alleged remarks that 'Mumbai does not belong to any individual.'
"Prasad should remove his police uniform, badge and chair and come onto the street and then he will realise to whom Mumbai belongs," he said.
The MNS chief said Prasad's comments were unwarranted and that he would ask the Congress-NCP government in the state to deal sternly with such officers.
Last evening, Bachchan addressed a press conference to promote his new film The Last Lear, and apologised on behalf of Jaya Bachchan. In an apparent reference to Jaya's apology in a newspaper and the Big B's public apology at the press meet, the MNS chief said, "Now, everyone knows what happens when the Marathi manoos (people) is united."
Raj did not fail to take pot-shots at Jaya, 'advising' her to 'stick to the dialogues' that are given to her in writing.
"Now the issue is over. I hope the Mumbai police will release the MNS supporters, who have been detained at various places," added Raj, referring to preventive measures taken by the police to arrest some MNS workers after an attack to a theatre that was to premiere The Last Lear.