MNS chief Raj Thackeray fired a fresh salvo on Monday when he demanded that all 288 newly elected legislators take their oaths in Marathi or face the "MNS music''. "If anyone dares not to take the oath in Marathi, you will see what my MLAs can do. They will create a ruckus in the house,'' he warned while addressing the media at MIG Club, Bandra (East). The MNS has 13 MLAs, six from Mumbai.
Thackeray said that Marathi was a local language and MLAs from across the state should respect it. "In Karnataka, a Marathi-speaking minister lost his portfolio because he was unable to speak the local language, which is Kannada. Will our legislators show a similar attitude towards Marathi?'' he asked.
While sources in Bangalore political circles said there is no knowledge of a minister losing his portfolio for such a reason, in Mumbai sources said the MNS is likely to create trouble in the house on the Marathi issue. SP spokesperson Abdul Qadir Choudhary said, "It is a serious threat. Law-enforcing authorities should ensure that our MLAs are safe and MNS legislators do not indulge in violence.'' In the past, the MNS attacked shops in Mumbai and Thane to forcibly get them to display signboards in Devanagari.
Raj's statement follows his recent warning to Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Asim Azmi, who had demanded the house agenda in Hindi. Reacting to Raj's call for the oath to be taken in Marathi, Azmi said, "Nobody can dictate terms. The constitution permits me to take the oath in Hindi.''
Thackeray also announced the name of Sewri MLA Bala Nandgaonkar as MNS leader in the assembly. Mahim MLA Nitin Sardesai will be the party whip.
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Thackeray said that Marathi was a local language and MLAs from across the state should respect it. "In Karnataka, a Marathi-speaking minister lost his portfolio because he was unable to speak the local language, which is Kannada. Will our legislators show a similar attitude towards Marathi?'' he asked.
While sources in Bangalore political circles said there is no knowledge of a minister losing his portfolio for such a reason, in Mumbai sources said the MNS is likely to create trouble in the house on the Marathi issue. SP spokesperson Abdul Qadir Choudhary said, "It is a serious threat. Law-enforcing authorities should ensure that our MLAs are safe and MNS legislators do not indulge in violence.'' In the past, the MNS attacked shops in Mumbai and Thane to forcibly get them to display signboards in Devanagari.
Raj's statement follows his recent warning to Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Asim Azmi, who had demanded the house agenda in Hindi. Reacting to Raj's call for the oath to be taken in Marathi, Azmi said, "Nobody can dictate terms. The constitution permits me to take the oath in Hindi.''
Thackeray also announced the name of Sewri MLA Bala Nandgaonkar as MNS leader in the assembly. Mahim MLA Nitin Sardesai will be the party whip.
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I think there is going to be a street fight between Abu Aazmi and Bala Nandgaonkar on the day of swearing ceremony.
TOI again trying to bias by using "Banglore sources" and misleading the real issue.
Azmi insists he'll take oath in Hindi ...... Read more http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Azmi-insists-hell-take-oath-in-Hindi/articleshow/5198168.cms