In a heated pre-election exchange, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant referred to Shaina NC, a candidate from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, as “imported maal,” sparking backlash.
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The remark came as Shaina, who has a background as a fashion designer, recently switched from BJP to contest the Mumbadevi seat against the Congress MLA Amin Patel.
Sawant remarked, “Look at her condition. She was in the BJP all her life and now she has gone to another party. Imported ‘maal’ does not work here, only original ‘maal’ works here…and we have that.”
Shaina NC, a strong advocate for women’s representation in politics, fired back at Sawant, saying, “This is the same Arvind Sawant for whom we had campaigned in 2014 and 2019. Look at his thinking when he calls a woman ‘maal’ (item). I would like to tell him that this same voter will make him ‘behaal’ in the elections.”
Sawant, addressing the uproar, attempted to clarify his stance, claiming, “Shaina NC wants to set a narrative right now. You must show the full quote of what I said. She is not residing in that assembly. Never in the political life of 55 years… modesty of a woman is always honoured by me,” underlining his long-standing respect for women.
“You cannot respect a woman. You use such words for a capable woman who is in politics. Now you will be ‘behaal’ because you called the woman ‘maal’. Whether I take action or not, the public will make him ‘behaal'”, she said.
Shaina NC further stated that I think this objectification of women is not only their mentality but Congress MLA Amin Patel was present there laughing.
“On one side there is Eknath Shinde’s Ladki Behan Yojana, on the other side there is Prime Minister’s Ujjwala, Mudra Banking, Housing Scheme, where women are empowered. Droupadi Murmu, a tribal woman, becomes the President and on the other side Mahavinash Aghadi’s Arvind Sawant calls me ‘Imported maal'”, she added.
The Shiv Sena leader further went on saying that I think this objectification of women is not only their mentality but Congress MLA Amin Patel was present there laughing.
“I think this objectification of women is not only their mentality but Congress MLA Amin Patel was present there laughing. You will have to apologize at the Nagpada Police Station. Mahavinash Aghadi which is going to be ‘behaal’ on 20th November,” she said.
On Monday, Shiv Sena released the list of 15 candidates for the assembly polls, in which Shaina NC was fielded from Mumbadevi constituency.
Shaina will be contesting against incumbent Congress’ MLA Amin Patel who also filed his nomination on Tuesday.
The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set for November 23. In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena 56, and the Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP secured 122 seats, the Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42.
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The controversy has led to protests by the Shiv Sena women’s wing, who gathered at Nagpada police station to demand an FIR against Sawant. This incident highlights the escalating tensions in Maharashtra’s multi-party political landscape as rivalries and alliances evolve, with the Shiv Sena, NCP, BJP, and Congress all seeking to establish dominance in the lead-up to the Assembly elections.