Mumbai, Nov 1 (Reporter) Derogatory comments against women are "condemnable and unacceptable", especially in a progressive state like Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP-AP chief Ajit Pawar said on Friday, reacting to UBT MP Arvind Sawant's controversial remarks against Shiv Sena (Shinde) Assembly election candidate Shaina NC. In a post on his X handle, Pawar said "We celebrate our inspiring women icons and follow their footsteps in empowering women and over the past two and a half years, we have continued to uplift and recognize their contributions. "Such remarks, especially by a senior Shiv Sena UBT leader against Shaina NC ji, are highly condemnable and unacceptable. They go against the very values of respect and dignity that define our progressive Maharashtra," said Pawar. Taking part in a media interaction a couple of days ago, Sawant had allegedly called the fashionista-turned-politician an "imported maal" (imported product|) for having switched allegiance from the BJP to the Shinde-led Shiv Sena.Sawant's alleged comments have triggered a storm of protest in the election-bound state, though he later claimed that Shaina "misunderstood" his remark...////...