Mumbai, Nov 9 : Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) legislator Ram Kadam, who was seen slapping and hitting Samajwadi Party lawmaker Abu Asim Azmi inside the Maharashtra assembly Monday, claimed that Azmi had insulted the "11 crore Maharashtrians" by taking the oath in Hindi.

Interacting with mediapersons outside the Maharashtra legislature, Kadam said that the MNS had "requested him with folded hands" to take the oath in Marathi "but that man (Azmi) did not heed us".

"We are not scared by any action that the house may initiate against us. All the 13 MNS MLAs will unitedly stand up for the cause of Marathis and Maharashtrians at all times," he said.

Speaking alternatively in Marathi and Hindi, Kadam alleged that Azmi's son had threatened to kill him "after he stepped out of the legislature" after the oath-taking ceremony Monday.

"We all know what shady connections he (Azmi) has and the whole country knows what was his role in the March 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts. But we are not afraid of him. We will take 100 rebirths for the cause of Marathis if required," he declared.(IANS)