Maharashtra assembly witnessed scenes of pandemonium, today when Members of Legislative Assembly of Raj Thackeray's party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) tried to prevent Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi from taking oath in Hindi. Also Abu Azmi was Slapped by MNS leader.
The MNS MLAs, who had earlier demanded that all legislators take their oaths in Marathi, created a ruckus the moment Azmi started taking his oath.
Azmi was reportedly hit by MNS MLA Ram Kadam. The House was adjourned for 20 minutes following the ruckus.
Taking his Marathi Manoos agenda a step further, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has warned the newly elected MLAs of Maharashtra to take oath in Marathi or face his party's wrath.
However, Raj's warning met with stiff resistance from Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Azmi, starting a fresh war of words.
Fresh out of a great political debut in the state polls, the MNS president said, "In the Maharashtra Assembly, the oath will have to be taken in Marathi only."
Raj not only warned the newly elected legislators to take oath only in Marathi but also spelt out the consequences for defying his diktat in his typically aggressive style.
Raj's statement follows his recent warnings to SP MLA Abu Azmi, who had demanded that the house agenda should be in Hindi. Taking on Raj, Azmi also dared the MNS chief to open its offices in north India.
Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and Energy Minister Ajit Pawar tried to restore calm in the House. MNS chief Raj Thackeray had in October announced that his party's legislators would ensure that all MLAs took their oath in Marathi.
"If any MLA does not take the oath in Marathi, the House will see what happens," Raj had threatened.
