India, Oct. 4 -- Maharashtra Minister Sanjay Shirsat on Sunday dismissed the joint protest march organised by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray as nothing more than a self-serving "political stunt."

Addressing a press conference, Shirsat alleged that the joint show of strength was staged solely to project an illusion of political influence ahead of upcoming electoral contests.

"The rally organised by Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray is merely a political stunt; it is an event. This rally is an attempt to demonstrate that their strength is much greater... They wanted to project the image that 'the tiger is still alive' here in Mumbai, regardless of what is happening elsewhe...