The upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections have taken a controversial turn with remarks by Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction MP Arvind Sawant, who is facing criticism for his alleged comment describing BJP's candidate from Mumbadevi, Shaina NC, as "imported maal."
Sawant, however, defended himself, denying that he mentioned Shaina by name and claiming that he is a victim of defamation by those seeking to tarnish his political reputation.
Sawant clarified that his statement was directed at outsiders, explaining that local candidates are more in tune with the needs of their communities. He insisted that his remark was taken out of context and emphasised his respect for Shaina, whom he considers a friend.
“I never named her,” he told the media, adding that his comment about outsiders was more about the suitability of candidates for local issues than a personal attack. “It’s their habit to create uproar,” he said, hinting that political rivals had spun the comment to provoke controversy.
Shaina NC responded strongly to Sawant's remarks, condemning what she described as the "objectification" of women and questioning Sawant’s respect for women in politics.
She also took aim at Congress MLA Amin Patel, who she claims laughed along during the incident. Shaina noted the irony of this controversy occurring alongside women’s empowerment initiatives, such as Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s ‘Ladki Bahin Yojana’ and the central government’s Ujjwala and Mudra schemes.
“You cannot respect a woman. You use such language about a capable woman who is in politics. Now you will be ‘behaal’ because you called a woman ‘maal’. Whether or not I take action, the public will,” she stated.
Sawant, who has had a 55-year career in politics, defended his record, insisting that he has always upheld respect for women and challenging accusations aimed at damaging his image.
“They file defamation cases, yet it is they who are defaming me,” he said, condemning what he called baseless attacks on his reputation. He also used the term “satta jihadi,” a phrase coined by Uddhav Thackeray, to describe his opponents, accusing them of unscrupulously vying for power.
Meanwhile, a complaint by Shaina NC has led to a police case against Sawant at Nagpada Police Station. The case has been registered under sections 79 and 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), indicating that legal proceedings may follow.
Shaina further declared that she expects a public apology from Sawant, asserting that the “Mahavinash Aghadi” alliance, which includes the UBT faction, will face consequences in the upcoming elections.
Sawant’s comments extended beyond Shaina NC, as he took the opportunity to criticise Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly for his handling of issues like the alleged Rs 75,000 crore irrigation scam involving NCP leader Ajit Pawar.
Sawant accused Modi of promoting “falsehoods,” pointing out that Ajit Pawar, once accused of corruption, was later appointed Deputy Chief Minister in Maharashtra. Sawant also raised concerns about Modi’s silence on recent incidents in Manipur and argued that the BJP government’s character lacked credibility, suggesting that they set narratives to distract from core issues.
The public fallout from Sawant’s remarks comes as Maharashtra gears up for Assembly elections. The political rivalry between UBT’s Sharad Pawar-led faction and the BJP-backed coalition has intensified, with each side attempting to sway voter sentiment.
The exchange between Sawant and Shaina NC underscores the heightened sensitivity surrounding political speech, particularly in a state as politically active as Maharashtra.
As campaigning continues, candidates will likely focus on bolstering local credibility, a theme that Sawant emphasised in his defence. He argued that residents best understand the needs of their communities, a claim he believes is undermined when candidates are seen as political “imports.”
Shaina NC, meanwhile, has framed the incident as a fight for respect and dignity, drawing attention to the broader issue of women’s portrayal in politics.
Her calls for accountability and her alignment with pro-women policies have resonated with her supporters, who see her stance as part of a larger struggle against gender biases in the political landscape.
With elections set for November 20 and vote counting scheduled for November 23, Maharashtra’s political landscape remains dynamic, with parties vying to demonstrate their alignment with local interests and societal values.
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