Activists of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Republican Party of India (RPI) also demonstrated in south Mumbai and sought contributions from the public, including commuters, office-goers and cabbies, for the ship now known as Indian Museum Ship (IMS) Vikrant. “We demand the Maharashtra government should save the ship. But Chief Minister Chavan says the government has no resources. We are ready to raise the funds by appealing to the public,” senior BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who led the drive, said.

BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) standing committee chairman Rahul Shewale has shot off a note to Municipal Commissioner Sitaram Kunte demanding the civic body make additional budgetary provisions for the maintenance of INS Vikrant. Shewale said the BMC had already made a provision of Rs 25 crore during the past four years, but the amount could not be handed over as the necessary paperwork was not done, and lapsed.