It is not the first time that Raj Thackeray and Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi, who was assaulted by MNS members in the Maharashtra Assembly, have crossed swords.

The rivalry between the two leaders began last year, when Raj launched an anti-north Indian campaign, demanding rights for sons-of-the-soil.

The campaign took a violent turn when MNS men thrashed north-Indians, forcing several of them to leave the state.

Raj even opposed celebrating Chhat pooja and north India day in Maharashtra and said "only Maharashtra Day must be celebrated in Maharashtra".

Acting as a defender of north Indians, Azmi got into a war of words with Raj and said he would distribute batons to the people to protect them from MNS men.

Raj retaliated, saying he would distribute swords to Marathi people to take on the batons.

Both the leaders were arrested last year in February under various sections of IPC like provocation with intent to cause riot, promoting enmity between groups on the basis of places of birth, residence among others.

Before the Assembly session began yesterday, a political debate was started as Azmi demanded the House agenda in Hindi.

"Hindi is our national language and it should come after Marathi. However, the House agenda and other papers were in Marathi and English. So, I wrote to the Assembly secretary demanding the agenda in Hindi," Azmi, who was elected from Mankhurd in central Mumbai and Bhiwandi in Thane district had said.

Furious over Azmi's demand, Raj, known for his anti-north Indian campaign, said "If Azmi wants the House agenda in Hindi, then he should go to Uttar Pradesh."

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