Former Mumbai Congress Chief Sanjay Nirupam’s Future with Party in Doubt

Mumbai, 4th April 2024: Is the association between former journalist turned politician Sanjay Nirupam and the Congress party coming to an end? Signs seem to suggest so.

Nirupam, who previously served as the Mumbai Congress chief, has been omitted from the list of star campaigners by the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), fueling speculation about his future with the party. He is anticipated to announce his decision on Thursday.

Nirupam’s discontent stems from not being considered for the Mumbai North-West seat, which the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena has now claimed, fielding Amol Kirtikar. This development has left Nirupam visibly perturbed, prompting him to criticize the state Congress leadership, the Maha Vikas Aghadi seat-sharing negotiators, and the Shiv Sena leader.

It’s noteworthy that Nirupam has a history with both the Shiv Sena and the Congress, having served as a two-time Rajya Sabha member from the Shiv Sena and a former Mumbai North Lok Sabha MP of the Congress.

In response to the situation, the MPCC has proposed disciplinary action against Nirupam. MPCC President Nana Patole has stated that there won’t be a show-cause notice for Nirupam; instead, direct action will be taken against him.

Nirupam, on his part, has suggested that the Congress party should focus its efforts elsewhere, given its current financial crisis. He has indicated that he will make his decision known soon.

There have been speculations over the past week about Nirupam’s potential affiliation with the BJP or Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.