- विज्ञापन -
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP from Mumbai South, Arvind Sawant on Saturday tendered an apology for his off-the-cuff ‘maal’ reference to a Shiv Sena candidate, fashionista Shaina Nana Chudasama that sparked off a huge political uproar in Maharashtra.
Sawant, 72, said that his statement was misconstrued and blown out of proportions while emphasising that he enjoyed a good rapport with Shaina NC, 52. “I had no intention of insulting any woman, let alone Shaina NC… I have never used any objectionable words against any sister or mother ever. Since it has created some misunderstandings, I hereby apologise for it,” Sawant told mediapersons here.
Simultaneously, the SS(UBT) leader referred to alleged derogatory remarks against women made in the past by several ruling side leaders like Ashish Shelar, Waman Mhatre, Sanjay Rathod, and asked, “A police complaint has been registered against me… What action has been taken against all these people?” The political mercury suddenly shot up after Sawant’s reference to Shaina NC as imported ‘maal’ and she hit back by lodging a complaint with Nagpada Police Station, and the Maharashtra State Commission of Women directed the police to take action in the matter.
During a media interaction in the poll campaign four days ago, Sawant was quizzed about the prospects of Shaina NC vis-a-vis the Congress’ three-term Mumbadevi MLA Amin Patel. “Yahan pe imported maal nahin chalega… Yahan pe original maal chalta hai, aur wo hai hamare paas, Amin Patel (We don’t need imported stuff here, only the original will work and we have that, Amin Patel),” said Sawant, pointing at a smiling Patel beside him.
