High drama in Mumbai as MP Nitish Rana plans to chant Hanuman Chalisa outside Matoshree

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Shiv Sena supporters on Saturday Gheroad Maharashtra MP Navneet Rana's house in Mumbai after latter announced that she will recite Hanuman Chalisa outside Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's residence 'Matoshree'.

Sena workers broke through the barricades and tried to enter the premises of the Khar residence of Maharashtra MLA Ravi Rana and his wife MP Navneet Rana.

Amravati MP Navneet Rana and her husband and MLA Ravi Rana on Friday said they would recite the Hanuman Chalisa outside Uddhav Thackeray's residence.

They will turn up outside `Matoshree', Thackeray's personal residence in suburban Bandra, on Saturday as announced earlier, the couple, both independent legislators, told reporters. However, before they could turn up outside Matoshree, Shiv Sena workers Gheroad their residence and shouted slogans.

"Maharashtra CM ordered Shiv Sena workers to heckle us. They're breaking the barricades. I'm reiterating that I'll go outside & will chant Hanuman Chalisa at 'Matroshree'. CM only knows how to throw people in jail," MP Navneet Rana said.

Strongly objecting to their plan, Shiv Sena workers, including women, have been camping outside 'Matoshree' since Friday morning, with many of them staying put there overnight. Taking an aggressive stand, the party leaders and workers have said they will not let the couple go back without 'prasad' "if they dared to turn up".

"Around 8.45 am, angry Shiv Sena supporters broke through the barricades, placed at a distance of around 50 metres from the building, where the Ranas own a flat in Khar. They tried to enter the apartment premises. The party workers raised slogans in support of CM Thackeray and dared the couple to step out of the residence," the police official said.

However, the police personnel deployed at the spot brought the situation under control and dissuaded the party workers from indulging in anything that would create a law and order problem, he said.

"Around 10.15 am, senior police officers visited the residence of Ranas and told them that they should not step out of their home as a large number of Shiv Sena workers were gathered outside their apartment, which may lead to a law and order problem," the official said.

Ravi Rana claims Sena workers pelted stones at his house

MLA Ravi Rana claimed that Shiv Sena workers attacked his house and pelted stones at it. He said if anything happened, or if anybody is hurt, them the entire responsibility will be with the chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.

"Police aren't allowing us to step outside our house. Shiv Sena workers trying to attack our residence...We've always considered 'Matoshree' as a temple...Uddhav Thackeray only seeking political gains," MLA Ravi Rana said.

"We are waiting, we'll keep Hanuman Chalisa in front of us. We're waiting to teach them a lesson," said Former Mumbai Mayor & Shiv Sena leader Kishori Pednekar outside 'Matoshree' in Mumbai.

They (MLA Ravi Rana and MP Navneet Rana)  have challenged the law and order situation. They were prompted to do this by someone. Shiv Sena workers are here to protect 'Matoshree'. Police are taking care of the situation, said Shiv Sena leader Anil Desai.

"Amravati MP Navneet Rana & her husband want to tarnish the state govt's image and spoil the atmosphere. What's the need to chant Hanuman Chalisa outside 'Matoshree',they can do it in their home. They're doing this at behest of somebody," Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil said.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut also reacted on the matter and said, "Enough is Enough."

Meanwhile, security has also been heightened near 'Matoshree', after Navneet Rana and her husband's plan to recite Hanuman Chalisa outside Uddhav's residence.

(With PTI inputs)

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