New Delhi: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar strongly criticised the “undignified” remarks made against women leaders during election campaigns and directed officials to take swift and strict action against such behavior. Kumar issued these instructions during a review meeting with District Election Officers, Police Commissioners, SPs, Municipal Commissioners and Returning Officers ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections.
The CEC said that political parties and candidates should avoid any actions, statements or behaviour that could be seen as offensive to the dignity and honour of women. He also said that personal lives of leaders and workers, which have no relevance to their public roles, should not be criticised, urging against petty personal attacks on political opponents.
Kumar called on state election officials to ensure prompt and strict enforcement of the Moral Code of Conduct (MCC) violations and expressed hope that all candidates and party leaders would conduct themselves with respect for women in both their speeches and public engagements.
Arvind Samant’s remarks on Shaina NC
Maharashtra saw a major political controversy last week when Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant allegedly made derogatory remarks about Shaina NC, a member of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction, who is contesting the upcoming assembly election from Mumbai’s Mumbadevi constituency.
Shaina NC accused the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance of disrespecting the women of Maharashtra. She also raised concerns about the silence of prominent MVA leaders, such as Supriya Sule of NCP (SP) and Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena (UBT), regarding the issue. Reacting to the controversy, Sawant apologised for his comments and said that he was a victim of defamation. He also referred to Shaina as a “friend” and said that he had never disrespected women during his long political career.
