Medha Patkar confronts Chidambaram

Social activist Medha Patkar on Tuesday barged into a function attended by Finance Minister P Chidambaram in Mumbai and sought to confront him on the rehabilitation of Mumbai slum dwellers.

The fiery activist, who is running a crusade against demolition of slums in Mumbai, entered the conference hall at a hotel in south Mumbai when Chidambaram was about to leave to catch a flight to Delhi after delivering a speech on urban renewal.

She sought time from the finance minister to discuss the issue.

Chidambaram tried to have a word with her while he was sitting in his car but some slogan-shouting

protestors crowded around the vehicle prompting the police to whisk the minister away.

The protestors continued to raise slogans and block the road even after the finance minister departed from the venue.

Later, speaking to reporters, Patkar said the issues and concerns of slum dwellers, who form 50 per cent of Mumbai's population, should get priority over discussions on urban renewal in five star hotels.