A day long political drama which included detention of senior ministers like DK Shivakumar and Mumbai Congress leader Milind Deora on Wednesday from Renaissance hotel in Powai ended at the campus of the university of Mumbai at Kalina in Santacruz.
Shivakumar, a senior Congress leader had come to meet the rebel MLAs of Karnataka who were lodged at the Mumbai hotel and while he refused to leave the premises, he along with Deora and 3 other ministers were detained by the police and they all were taken to the university-based guest house.
Shivakumar was almost pulled out by police while he was being interviewed by a TV channel. The three leaders were taken to the BKC police guest house, an official said. The police officials claim that the presence of Shivakumar and Deora was likely to intensify political tensions so later the police imposed section 144 in the afternoon at the area which comes under the jurisdiction of Powai police station.
After Shivakumar was released, he told the media,"I don't want to leave and I insisted a lot to allow me to meet the MLAs but the permission was denied. As a law abiding citizen, I chose not to disturb the law and order situation so I am leaving. I thank all my supporters and members of the party but at the end, this is a breach of democratic rights.”
The Mumbai police had stationed heavy cop duty at Powai and also in Kalina. Officers including Senior Police officers, Assistant Police Commissioners and Deputy Police Commissioners also ensured that nothing goes for a toss. Officers from Zone VIII and IX were deployed for the bandobast.