Shaina NC seeks MVA's 'official stand' on Uddhav Sena leader's sexist remark 

Shaina NC questioned why leaders like Priyanka Gandhi and Priyanka Chaturvedi from the MVA had not condemned the sexist remarks made by Arvind Sawant. 

In Short

• Uddhav Sena MP Arvind Sawant's makes 'maal' remark against Shaina NC
• Shaina, who is Mahayuti candidate, slams MVA over sexist remark
• Says Sawant's apology came only after case was registered

BJP leader and Mahayuti candidate from the Mumbadevi constituency, Shaina NC, criticised the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) after Arvind Sawant, an MP from Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, allegedly used a derogatory term against her, sparking controversy.

Shaina NC expressed her outrage, questioning why leaders like Priyanka Gandhi and Priyanka Chaturvedi from the MVA, consisting of Congress, Sharad Pawar-led NCP and Uddhav Thackray’s Shiv Sena, had not condemned the remarks.

“I want to know the official stand of the Maha Vikas Aghadi. You target a woman, and the apology comes only after Nagpada police filed an FIR, 30 hours later,” she said, referring to Sawant’s apology.

She questioned Congress candidate Amin Patel, who she claimed laughed during Sawant’s comments. "Would he react the same way if the remark was directed at a woman from his religion or community?” she asked.

Shaina added that she had campaigned for Sawant in previous elections.

“In 2014 and 2019, I was a ‘ladki behen’ (dear sister), but now I am ‘maal’? I am a daughter of Maa Mumbadevi; I will fight and I will win,” she said.

The controversy escalated after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut defended Sawant’s actions, asserting that no apology was necessary.

“If Sanjay Raut has no objection to the word 'maal', it shows his mentality,” Shaina said, adding, “Maal is objectification. It means you are the property of someone".

Shaina said the issues of Mumbadevi constituency, like the redevelopment of Kamathipura and chawls, should be the focus of the election discourse. She questioned whether Aaditya Thackeray, who resides in Bandra and represents Worli, would also be considered an outsider.

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, speaking in Baramati, commented on the issue, advising that “one should take care while talking,” but stopped short of calling Sawant’s remarks a personal attack.