Expressing satisfaction over the apology tendered by Amitabh Bachchan, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray said Thursday that the agitation against the star's wife, actor-MP Jaya Bachchan, was being "withdrawn".

Addressing a press conference, Thackeray said the "pro-Marathi and pro-Maharashtrian agitation" of the MNS had succeeded and thanked his party activists for their efforts.

Jaya Bachchan's alleged "anti-Marathi and anti-Maharashtra" remarks at a film function last Saturday had snowballed into a major controversy with the MNS demanding an unconditional apology.

Amitabh Bachchan told reporters Wednesday evening: "The remark that Jaya made at the music release function of 'Drona' last week was not meant to malign or hurt anybody or any group of people.

Having said that, I would still make it clear that if even a single person is hurt by Jaya's remark, we would apologise, rather, we should apologise."