Mumbai: Residents and activists of Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar, Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi's assembly's constituency, have written an 'open letter' asking him to focus on the constituency's development and desist from making controversial statements.

We, the residents and activists of your constituency, urge you to focus solely on the development of our area. It is not necessary to comment on every issue everywhere. Instead of engaging in external matters, your priority should be resolving the critical problems of Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar, which has been deteriorating for the last 15 years under your leadership, said the letter from the Govandi Citizen's Forum.

Azmi, a four-term MLA from the Muslim-majority constituency has been asked to avoid making controversial statements that may hurt sentiments. Think about the consequences before speaking, as unnecessary controversies do not serve the people who elected you. Do not overexert yourself in maintaining a so-called 'Muslim leader' image—your actions should speak louder than words, the letter said.