Newly-elected legislator in Maharashtra, Arun Gawli, said on Thursday that he would raise the issue of unemployment during the assembly session.
A former underworld don, Gawli was elected from the Chinchpokli constituency in Mumbai and made his maiden appearance in the lower house of state legislature.
Gawli said he "lived in the present and did not spend time worrying about the future" when asked about his history as a gangster.
When asked about his alleged assault on a journalist of a leading newspaper, he said, "I will not comment as the matter is sub-judice".
Gawli, dressed in white, evoked curious looks as he made his way to the assembly.