He is a Maharashtrian hailing from Amravati and faced a backlash from RJD MLAs due to the MNS offensive against Biharis and UPites since the first week of February. The RJD MLAs shouted slogans soon after Gavai's address in the Bihar assembly on Friday.

``I think the opposition (RJD) was divided on this issue of raising protests against me. But a few MLAs raised slogans,'' he told TOI from Patna. ``Despite their sloganeering, I went upto the protesting MLAs and conveyed my regards to them after delivering my address. I told them that they did their job and I was doing mine by conveying my regards,'' he added.

He said, ``Two days back, they burnt my effigy, but I was not perturbed. I told them that I am Indian first and Indian last. I believe in the constitution of the country and feel that there is unity in diversity.''

The Bihar governor added that he was equally perturbed over MNS attacks on north Indians. ``I spoke to the chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Nashik guardian minister Chhagan Bhujbal over this issue. I also wrote to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that these incidents would harm the social fabric of India,'' he said.