Mumbai: Shiv Sena UBT leader and Mumbai South MP Arvind Sawant has stirred up a controversy over his recent remarks on Shiv Sena’s new leader Shaina NC. In a video circulating online, Sawant was heard addressing Shaina as ‘maal’. Congress leader and Mumbadevi MLA Amin Patel was also standing next to Sawant. Sawant said, “Imported nahi chalta yahan, imported maal nahi chalta hai humare yahan, humare yahan original maal chalta hai, original maal hai hamara,” which means, “Imported things don’t work here. Only original things work here, our maal is original.”
#WATCH | Mumbai | On Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant says, "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…" (29.10) pic.twitter.com/O4DJ0YjQIQ
— ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2024
Sharp reaction from Shaina NC
Reacting sharply to the remark, Shaina NC called it ‘sexist’ and a reflection of Sawant and his party’s mindset. He said, “This shows the mindset of Arvind Sawant and his party. Does he consider every woman in Mumbadevi as ‘maal‘? Addressing a capable woman like this shows his lack of respect for women. Now he will have to face the consequences of using this word. Whether I take any action or not, the public will teach him a lesson.”
The faction led by Shinde Sena leader and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has declared Shaina NC as its candidate for the Mumbadevi seat given the upcoming assembly elections. Shaina filed her nomination papers a day before the last date of nomination.
#WATCH | Mumbai: On Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant's 'imported maal' remark, Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC says, "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… https://t.co/ASksHmuLak pic.twitter.com/Tpka00yQKp
— ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2024
Status of Mumbadevi constituency
Mumbadevi constituency includes Worli, Byculla, Malabar Hill, Shivadi, and Colaba along with parts of South Mumbai. This seat was earlier won by BJP’s Raj K. Purohit four times from 1990 to 2009, after which Congress took hold of it. In the last election, Congress’s Amin Patel won.
According to initial speculations, the BJP could have fielded Shaina for the Worli seat. However, the seat went to the Shiv Sena as part of the seat-sharing arrangement, with Milind Deora being named as the candidate against Shiv Sena UBT’s Aditya Thackeray.
#WATCH | Mumbai: Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC says, "I'd like to thank PM Narendra Modi and the leadership of Mahayuti because I believe this is an opportunity to serve my Mumbaikars and to show that we are here as Pradhan Sewaks in every field. I have been living in South Mumbai… pic.twitter.com/8Sm8qovHJX
— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2024
After the announcement, Shaina NC denied any resentment over her placement. “I am not unhappy at all. It is the decision of the party and the alliance,” she told ANI. She also congratulated Milind Deora for being chosen as the candidate for Worli. She further added, “Our party’s principle is that first comes the country, then the party, and last comes the individual. Our agenda is to accelerate development in Mumbai and take Maharashtra to new heights.”
