Workers from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) protested outside the residence of Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Abdul Sattar on Monday, saying that he used derogatory language towards NCP MP Supriya Sule.
Faced with criticism, Sattar apologised if his comments offended anyone, but insisted that he made no remark against Sule, the daughter of NCP president Sharad Pawar, news agency PTI reported.
The official Twitter handle of the party posted a video with the caption, "State Agriculture Minister Abdul Sattar criticized NCP MP Supriyatai Sule using abusive language. A protest movement was held in Mumbai by the NCP party against this."
Sattar, a member of the 'Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena' led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, said he made no anti-women statements.
Sattar, who represents the Sillod seat in the Aurangabad district, allegedly used a pejorative term to describe Sule when reporters questioned him about the "khoke" (money boxes) remark.
Shiv Sena leaders (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) frequently used the "40 khoke" insult to mock MLAs loyal to Eknath Shinde when they revolted against Shiv Sena leadership. NCP leader Vidya Chavan demanded Sattar's resignation or he would be barred from leaving the state.
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Another NCP leader, Eknath Khadse, also denounced Sattar's remarks, saying the chief minister should teach the agricultural minister some manners, PTI reported.
(With Inputs From PTI)