Sanjay Nirupam Hits Back With 'Cash Woes' Jibe At Congress After Facing Action For Calling Out Party High Command

Sanjay Nirupam had voiced his discontent with the state leadership of Congress after Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Uddhav Thackeray, announced its candidates for four out of six Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai.

Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam

Source : PTI

New Delhi: The Congress announced on Wednesday that it has initiated disciplinary actions against former MP Sanjay Nirupam for his recent criticism of the party leadership amid negotiations over seat allocations with ally Shiv Sena (UBT). A decision regarding him will be taken within the next couple of days, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole said following a session of the party's campaign committee in Mumbai.

"Nirupam's name has been removed from the list of star campaigners, and disciplinary action has been initiated against him due to his remarks against the party and the state leadership. A decision will be made shortly," Patole said.

Sanjay Nirupam, a former MP representing Mumbai North, had voiced his discontent with the state leadership of Congress after Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Uddhav Thackeray, announced its candidates for four out of six Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai, including the Mumbai North West constituency, which Nirupam had been eyeing.

Nirupam asserted that Congress leadership should not succumb to pressure tactics employed by Shiv Sena (UBT). He contended that giving in to Shiv Sena (UBT)'s unilateral decisions on Mumbai candidates would spell the destruction of Congress.

In response to alleged tensions among the allies of the Maha Vikas Aghadi regarding seat sharing, Patole said a meeting will be held to address the matter. "Congress is vying for Sangli, Bhiwandi, and a few seats in Mumbai. We will strive to secure them," he said, emphasising the party's desire to contest based on the candidates' merits.

Meanwhile, amid buzz of action over his comments regarding I.N.D.I.A bloc allies, Sanjay Nirupam took a swipe at the Congress over its financial woes and said he would “take a decision tomorrow”.

Taking to X, he wrote, “The Congress shouldn’t waste its energy and stationery on me but should conserve it to save the party. The party is anyway facing a massive financial challenge. I gave a week’s time and that ends today. I will make a decision tomorrow.”

कॉंग्रेस पार्टी मेरे लिए ज़्यादा ऊर्जा और स्टेशनरी नष्ट ना करे।
बल्कि अपनी बची-ख़ुची ऊर्जा और स्टेशनरी का इस्तेमाल पार्टी को बचाने के लिए करे।
वैसे भी पार्टी भीषण आर्थिक संकट के दौर से गुजर रही है।
मैंने जो एक हफ़्ते की अवधि दी थी,वह आज पूरी हो गई है।
कल मैं खुद फ़ैसला ले लूँगा।

— Sanjay Nirupam (@sanjaynirupam) April 3, 2024

Meanwhile, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) enlisted the support of a Congress member to contest in Wardha, citing a lack of suitable candidates within Pawar's camp, Nirupam said.

Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray rebuffed the demand from some Congress leaders for "friendly fights" in disputed constituencies, saying, "Either be friends or fight."

Patole responded to Thackeray's remarks by affirming that MVA would resolve the seat disputes during the meeting.