Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 | Shaina N C questions silence of MVA leaders over 'imported maal' remark by Arvind Sawant

Mumbai: Shiv Sena leader and fashion designer Shaina N C has questioned the silence of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leadership over the “imported maal” remarks made by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant and its defence by Sanjay Raut.

Shaina N C is contesting the elections from the Mumbadevi seat of Mumbai from Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, which she joined last week after leaving BJP. 

Sawant, who is the Mumbai South Lok Sabha MP and Raut, a Rajya Sabha MP, are close aides of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.

Incidentally, both are designated Shiv Sena (UBT)’s chief spokespersons.

“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…and we have that,” Sawant said while campaigning for Congress party’s Mumbaidevi candidate Amin Patel.

A day later, Sawant, however, tendered an apology, saying: "The statement has been given a different meaning, I am sad about this but still, if my statement has hurt anyone's feelings then I express regret."

The Nagpada police station has registered an FIR after women wing of the Shiv Sena and BJP protested.

Shinde, the chief minister and chief leader of Shiv Sena, reacting to Sawant’s comment said: “Had Balasaheb (Thackeray) been alive, he would have smashed (Sawant’s) face.”

Defending Sawant, Raut said: “There is no insult in referring to Shaina N C. The words ‘imported maal’ since she is not a local. If she is from outside, then it's a mere fact…What about the remarks made regarding Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi? It’s important to revisit history. When outsiders contest elections, people often point out their origins. Creating a controversy here is unnecessary.” 

Shaina N C, on Saturday, said: “Sawant apologised for his ‘imported maal’ remark, yet Raut dismissed it as a trivial matter, issuing no apology. This raises serious questions about whether the Shiv Sena (UBT) truly respects women…Why are the women leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi silent? When will this patriarchal mentality end?.”

Reflecting on her political journey, Shaina N C said:  “I have been in politics for over twenty years. In both 2014 and 2019, Arvind Sawant invited me to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections. Back then, I was a ‘dear sister’—and now I am suddenly an ‘imported product’?” 

Affirming her Mumbai roots, she stated:“I was born in Mumbai; Mumbadevi is my maher. I am a self-respecting woman, and my candidacy is supported by our chief minister”.

Shaina N C also issued a direct challenge to Aditya Thackeray, saying: “Those living in Kalanagar contest from Worli—so who exactly are the ‘imported ones’?”

Shaina N C is the daughter of former Mumbai Sheriff Nana Chudasama, who was founder of Giants International and grand-daughter of former Mumbai Police Commissioner Mansinh Chudasama. 

Shaina N C is married to businessman Manish Munot.

Assembly Elections 2024 | The Maharashtra Assembly polls will take place against the backdrop of a fractured political landscape in the western state where the Shiv Sena and NCP will be going up against the Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar factions, even as the BJP and Congress try to make their mark. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, the JMM faces a new challenge after Hemant Soren's recent arrest and Champai, a longstanding party member, joining the BJP. The Haryana election resulted in a shock loss for Congress, which was looking to galvanize on the Lok Sabha poll performance, while J&K also saw the grand old party eventually stepping away from the cabinet, with Omar Abdullah's JKNC forming government. It remains to be seen if the upcoming polls help BJP cement its position further or provide a fillip to I.N.D.I.A. Check live updates and track the latest coverage, live news, in-depth opinions, and analyses only on Deccan Herald.

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