New Delhi [India], November 1 : Bharatiya Janata Party's National Spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain on Friday condemned the derogatory remarks of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant on Shiv Sena's Shaina NC.
Arvind Sawant's comment on Shaina NC, calling her 'imported maal' sparked a political row between the leaders of Mahayuti (BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP) and Maha Vikas Aghadi (Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP).
Condemning the remark on Shaina NC, Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said to ANI, "This is deeply hurtful, the statement given by him is derogatory, Shaina NC is a prominent women leader of the country. She is very much respected in Mumbai. To call her 'imported maal' is not only her insult but the insult of the whole women community."
He added that the public of Mumbadevi will "give a fitting" reply to Arvind Sawant, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance.
"The whole public of Maharashtra, especially women will give a reply to Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena and alliance," he added.
Earlier in the day, Arvind Sawant commented on Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC. He said, "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."
Meanwhile, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale also criticised Arvind Sawant for his remarks, saying, "Shaina NC is a social activist, his father was a social activist. It's not right to call her a "maal". I think people will teach them a lesson. I condemn this remark and I think that legal action must be taken against him."
On Monday, Shiv Sena released the list of 15 candidates for the assembly polls, in which Shaina NC was fielded from the Mumbadevi constituency.
Shaina will be contesting against incumbent Congress' MLA Amin Patel who also filed his nomination on Tuesday.
The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set for November 23. In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena 56, and the Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP secured 122 seats, the Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42.