MNS chief Raj Thackeray to walk to cremation venue

Sources say Raj Thackeray  is taking a different route from the procession, choosing to walk along with his supporters to the  cremation venue. All leaves of police personnel have been reportedly cancelled.

Lakhs of supporters follow the hearse. Mumbai has come to a virtual halt as the supporters  flank the whole 6 km-stretch of the funeral procession route.  The bereaved Thackeray family is reportedly being accompanied by several Sena leaders including Manohar Joshi, Diwakar Raote, party spokesperson Sanjay Raut, Neelam Gorhe, Vinayak Raut, Anil Desai,
Subhash Desai, senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde, among others.

State protocol minister Suresh Shetty has said that the state government has announced that Thackeray will be  accorded a state funeral.

Balasaheb Thackeray's body, covered with the national flag, placed on the hearse. It was brought out of 'Matoshree' wrapped in saffron-coloured party flag. Son Uddhav Thackeray and grandson Aditya  accompany the hearse.