MUMBAI BRACES FOR MASSIVE RALLY

“We are now left with one last stop, which is at Vashi. After Vashi, we will go towards Mumbai peacefully, but we will not come back without reservation.”

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Maratha Reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil said on Thursday that their rally towards Mumbai will be peaceful, even as the Mumbai Police has reportedly deined permission to hold a protest at Azad Maidan on January 26. Patil is expected to address a crowd and lead a march towards Azad Maidan with his supporters. The administration has instead asked him to move the protest to the International Corporate Park in Navi Mumbai's Kharghar to avoid traffic congestion in Mumbai.

Patil meanwhile said they will not return from the state capital without reservation.

Social media is flooded with photos of massive crowds at the rally which is moving towards Mumbai from Pune. The financial capital is expected to see traffic disruption as the rally enters the city. Mumbai Police has cancelled all the leaves of its personnel for three days.

"We are now left with one last stop, which is at Vashi.

After Vashi, we will go towards Mumbai peacefully, but we will not come back without reservation. From today on, our number will increase and all the Maratha people from all over Maharashtra will gather in Mumbai. The people of Mumbai are also with us," said Patil.