Maharashtra Polls: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has strongly condemned undignified remarks made by political leaders against women politicians during election campaigns and instructed officials to deal with such derogatory remarks in a stern manner, news agency ANI reported on Friday.

Sources in the Chief Electoral Office of Maharashtra told ANI that the CEC, during a review meeting with District Election Officers, Police Commissioners, SPs, Municipal Commissioners and Returning officers, expressed concerns and frowned over the use of derogatory language against women.

According to ANI, he has directed all officials to ensure that any derogatory comments made by candidates or political leaders for women are met with timely and stern action. This came days after sitting Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant’s “imported maal” remark for Shiv Sena candidate Shaina NC, who quit the BJP to join the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena to contest the upcoming Assembly election in Maharashtra, triggered a massive uproar.

An FIR was registered against the parliamentarian shortly afterwards. At an election rally in Jharkhand earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the INDIA opposition bloc over Sawant’s controversial remark. As per PTI, PM Modi said, “Opposition used foul language against a woman leader in Maharashtra. Mothers and daughters are in shock, people will teach them a lesson.”

A day after uttering the controversial words, Sawant had said, “Some allegations have been made against me for the past few days. A complaint has been lodged against me in this regard. We will never insult women. An atmosphere is being created that I have insulted a woman, I have never done this in my life. One of my statements was interpreted differently. I apologize if my statement hurt anyone’s feelings.”

(With inputs from agencies)