Will Azmi slap reverberate in Bhiwandi?

Samajwadi Party set to cash in on Vidhan Sabha slapgate and earn sympathy among voters ahead of Bhiwandi by-election

Samajwadi Party set to cash in on Vidhan Sabha slapgate and earn sympathy among voters ahead of Bhiwandi by-election

The Samajwadi Party (SP) plans to gain maximum milea-ge from the assault on Abu Asim Azmi during the upcoming by-election in Bhiwandi.

The MLA was slapped and manhandled by MNS leaders inside Vidhan Bhavan on Monday after he refused to take oath in Marathi.

Insult

Third Front leader Ramdas Athawle said, "We will hold demonstrations next week to condemn the attack on Azmi.

The MNS has not only insulted Azmi and the national language, but also Babasaheb Ambedkar by not following the Constitution."

Au00a0Stone's Throw: Policemen guard the Citywalk shoe store on Colaba Causeway after three unidentified people hurled stones at it yesterday. Nobody was injured in the incident. Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi has a major stake in the chain of stores.

Azmi won the Assembly polls from both Shivaji Nagar in Mankhurd and Bhiwandi.

However, as per the Election Code of Conduct, he gave up the seat from Bhiwandi, which will hold a by-election anytime in the next six months.

The SP and Third Front see the assault on Azmi as an opportunity to gain sympathy from voters.

Said Rais Shaikh, SP in-charge in Bhiwandi, "We have got a great opportunity to present our views and promote our ideology among the public.

The people have seen all that has happened and are smart enough to know the difference between right and wrong."

Bright chances

Added a senior party leader, "The chances of an SP candidate winning from Bhiwandi are bright because of the controversy."

The indication of an SP win in Bhiwandi has attracted MLA aspirants to the party office. "Even those from other political parties are trying to get in touch with us," said a senior SP leader.



SP wants FIR against Raj

The SP has demanded an FIR against Raj Thackeray and action against the MNS for attacking Abu Asim Azmi.
u00a0
The SP leader was slapped and assaulted by MNS leaders inside Vidhan Bhavan for not taking the oath to office in Marathi.





Raj had earlier warned that all 288 MLAs would have to 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 had said. He made the statement after Azmi demanded the House agenda in Hindi.

4
Number of MNS MLAs suspended for attacking Abu Azmi on Monday

6
Number of months one can be imprisoned for assaulting someone