Mumbai: Agriculture Minister and Shinde camp leader Mr Abdul Sattar on Monday stoked a major political controversy after his derogatory and offensive comment against NCP MP Ms Supriya Sule. Terming the comment as "crass", NCP has demanded that Chief Minister Mr Eknath Shinde drop Mr Sattar from his Cabinet. The NCP also wrote a letter to the Chief Minister asking him to remove Sattar from the Cabinet.
Ms Sule in her first reaction said,’’ I do not want to talk on Mr Sattar’s comment.’’
Sattar expresses regret but maintains that his remark was not against Ms Sule
After much uproar and strong protests across the state by NCP workers, Mr Sattar expressed regret if his comment hurt anyone, but maintained that he did not make any remark against Ms Sule, the daughter of NCP chief Sharad Pawar. Mr Sattar noted that he did not make any remark against women. Further clarifying his stand, he added: "I didn't apologise to NCP, but to women who might have been hurt by my words."
Mr Sattar allegedly used a derogatory word referring to Ms Sule when reporters asked him about "khoke" (boxes of money) jibe, implying a purported exchange of money when the Shiv Sena faction led by Mr Shinde revolted against the party leadership headed by Uddhav Thackeray.
Deepak Kesarkar issues apology on behalf of Sattar
The Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena spokesperson and School Education Minister Mr Deepak Kesarkar issued an apology on behalf Sattar. "As spokesperson, I have apologised on behalf of Abdul Sattar. We respect Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule, but there is no question of giving resignation," he said.
A group of party workers led by state NCP women’s wing Ms Vidya Chavan NCP workers held a protest-demonstration outside Mr Sattar's Mumbai residence today. They also demanded that an FIR be filed against the minister for his objectionable comment against Ms Sule. Some of them pelted stones at the minister’s residence. Agitated NCP workers staged protests at Mr Sattar’s Aurangabad residence and allegedly pelted stones. The NCP workers across the state hit the streets to protest against Mr Sattar’s derogatory remarks while in a few districts they burnt his effigy.
Mahesh Tapase calls for registering case
The state chief spokesman Mr Mahesh Tapase in a letter to the senior police inspector of Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Marg police station urged to register an offence against Mr Sattar.
Reacting to the controversy, Ms Sule's husband, Mr Sadanand Sule, tweeted: "So the misogynistic leaders continue their tirade against Supriya and by default all women, who stand up to their macho behaviour and expose their character and abilities."
‘’First it was to go work in the kitchen and elsewhere, & now this statement by a sitting cabinet Minister in Maharashtra tantamounts to giving her money- the conjecture is well established," the tweet added. ‘’Keep up the good work, Supriya, more power to you and other women," he added.
NCP legislator and former minister Eknath Khadse also condemned Mr Sattar's comment and said the Chief Minister should teach some manners to the Agriculture Minister.
BJP objects to Sattar's remark
Interestingly, BJP also objected to Mr Sattar’s derogatory remarks against Ms Sule and said it was improper. Former minister and BJP leader Ms Pankaja Munde said, ‘’’No party leaders should use such language against women. If they are stooping to low during their criticism it is not acceptable. Nobody should make capital out of any comment and the media also should take the due care.’’
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister took a serious note of Mr Sattar’s derogatory remarks against Ms Sule and reportedly reprimanded him on phone. The Deputy Chief Minister Mr Devendra Fadnavis also expressed his serious displeasure.
Mr Shinde has convened a meeting of his party legislators and spokesperson after two days to avoid further controversies. The Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena spokesman and School Education Minister Mr Deepak Kesarkar confirmed about the meeting saying that the CM is expected to discuss dos and don’ts with the legislators.
State's Women Commission reacts
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra State Women Commission Ms Rupali Chakankar said,' 'The Commission has taken a serious note of Mr Sattar's derogatory remarks and has instructed the state Director General of Police to take legal action and submit its report immediately.
