Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Desai has defended party MP Arvind Sawant after his controversial "imported maal" statement on fellow leader Shaina NC, claiming that Sawant "had no intention of insulting women". The controversy occurred when Arvind Sawant, a Shiv Sena MP from the Uddhav Thackeray party, allegedly referred to Shaina NC as "imported maal," saying, "Look at her state. She had been with the BJP her entire life and had now switched to another party. 'Imported maal' does not work here; only the 'original maal' does," reported ANI. 

Anil Desai told ANI that Sawant did not aim to disrespect women, saying, "He had no intention of insulting women. He immediately made it clear that he had no such intentions and he apologised for these things and he clarified everything."