Shiv Sena takes ‘shots’ at BJP after min’s booze name fiasco

Mumbai: Taking a swipe at the Maharashtra government, the Shiv Sena today said it was sensitising people about the ill effects of alcohol consumption, while its minister suggested that feminine names would boost liquor sales.

The NDA constituent said it was shocking that a minister made such comments when women in the state had been holding regular protests against the sale of liquor. Senior BJP leader and state minister Girish Mahajan had suggested the use of a feminine name to boost liquor sales at an event organised by a sugar mill in North Maharashtra’s Nandurbar district Saturday. On Monday, he apologised for his comment, saying he didn’t mean to hurt women’s sentiments.

Mr Mahajan, irrigation minister and close confident of CM Devendra Fadnavis gave controversial statement on Sunday in Chandrapur. He suggested to name liquors with feminine names to boost sales. This statement was embarrassing for BJP government as well as party. On Monday, Mr Mahajan extended an unconditional apology.

But alliance partner Shiv Sena didn’t lose chance to slam BJP over Mr Mahajan. In an editorial written in Saamana, mouthpiece of Sena, party slammed BJP and Mr Mahajan. “To increase revenue of state, if these ministers starts advocating about drinking then nothing will be so unfortunate. People won’t like this,” the Saamana editorial said.  

The editorial also took potshots at Mr Mahajan over his Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh background.