Not taken Shaina NC's name: Arvind Sawant won't apologise over sexist remark

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant courted controversy after a video went viral on Friday in which he purportedly refers to Shaina NC as 'imported maal'.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant refused to apologise for his sexist jibe at Shaina NC, saying he never took the Shiv Sena leader's name. In an exclusive interview with India Today, Sawant alleged that Shaina NC was instigated to lodge a complaint against him.

"She (Shaina NC) is defaming me now. I have never uttered a single word that violates the dignity of a woman. Never in my 55 years of political life have I done so. How come she has realised it after two days? I have not taken her name anywhere," Sawant said.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader courted controversy after a video went viral on Friday in which he purportedly refers Shaina NC as "imported maal". Shaina NC, who was with the BJP, joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena earlier this week. She has been fielded from Mumbadevi in the November 20 Assembly election.

Sawant said the ruling Mahayuti wanted to create a false and fake narrative. "A minister in the party which she has joined is facing a rape case. Last week, a young woman complained of character assassination by a leader of the party and was assaulted," Sawant said.

Sawant asserted that he meant to say that Amin Patel was a local and Shaina NC was an outsider and would not be accepted in the Mumbadevi constituency. Amin Patel is the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidate.

"They want to create a false and fake narrative, it is a mastery of the BJP. Somebody instigated Shaina to lodge a complaint. Why should I apologise?" a defiant Sawant said.

On Friday, a video of Sawant speaking to the media went viral. The video is from October 28.

"She stayed all her life in the BJP and now look at her... Humare yahan imported maal nahi chalta (Imported material does not work here). Only original 'maal' works here. We have the original material," he said.

Amid the controversy, Shaina NC lodged a complaint against Sawant at Nagpada police station. In an interview with India Today, the Shiv Sena leader said it reflected the mindset of Arvind Sawant and his party.

"Does he see every woman in Mumbadevi as 'maal'? He shows no respect for women... Whether I take action or not, the public will make him 'behaal'," Shaina said.