MNS members on Wednesday said they would apologise to the House for assaulting Azmi in the Assembly but not to the MLA. “We will apologise in the Assembly as it was not our intention to malign the image of the House. However, there is no question of apologising to Azmi,” MNS leader Atul Sarpotdar said. “The whole controversy started because of one person — Abu Asim Azmi. It was not our intention to lower the dignity of the House. What happened was a spontaneous reaction by our MLAs.”

Safety priority: Jamir

On the eve of the first anniversary of the 26/11 attacks, Governor S C Jamir assured citizens that their safety and security was “the first and foremost priority” of the new government. “Safety and security of the common citizens will be the first and foremost priority of my government. The state has geared up and restructured the police force, and at the same time provided it with equipment and training to meet the challenge of terrorism, not just in Mumbai but elsewhere in the state,” Jamir said in his address to both houses.

Marathi should be a must, says Abu Azmi’s colleague

MUMBAI: The Samajwadi Party may have clashed with the MNS over SP MLA Abu Asim Azmi taking oath in Hindi instead of Marathi, but SP MLA from Bhiwandi-West, Abdul Rashid Tahir Momin, feels Marathi must be made compulsory in all schools across the state from kindergarten.

Momin, 52, who like Azmi hails from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, speaks fluent Marathi and took his oath in Marathi before Azmi was sworn in.

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