Shikhar Sammelan: 'Not Leaving Congress, But Will Speak Out Against What Is Wrong,’ Says Sanjay Nirupam

Nirupam expressed regret at party’s decision of not giving ticket to the candidate recommended by him.

New Delhi: Brushing aside the speculations of his departure from the Congress party ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra for the 288 seats, party leader Sanjay Nirupam said that he is staying in the party, but won’t stay mum on whatever is going on within the party. Stepping up his attack at a particular bloc within Congress, Nirupam who is close to former party chief Rahul Gandhi said “some people were campaigning against Rahul Gandhi within the party. I don’t want to take a name, but everybody knows it.” Nirupam was speaking to ABP News in its flagship summit Shikhar Sammelan on Monday, where he expressed regret at party’s decision of not giving ticket to the candidate recommended by him. Former Union minister Milind Deora had replaced Nirupam as the Mumbai Congress chief. Earlier in the day, the disgruntled Congress leader called party leader Milind Deora 'Nikamma' (useless) and downplayed speculation over his absence at Rahul Gandhi's rally in poll-bound Maharashtra. Taking to Twitter, Nirupam said he had skipped the event due to a prior commitment, adding that Gandhi was aware of the change in his schedule. "Speculations and suspicions about my absence in Rahul Gandhi's Mumbai rallies are meaningless. Due to an important family function, I was very busy whole day, rather till late night. Had informed him in advance," he tweeted. "Had informed him in advance... But why was Nikamma absent?" Nirupam asked. This came after the party rejected one name he had suggested for the Maharashtra polls. Notably, Nirupam had earlier said that he won't be campaigning for the Congress party for the Maharashtra assembly elections. Nirupam, further mentioned in his tweet, that Rahul is his leader. Nirupam, who contest the 2014 assembly elections successfully, is one of the senior leaders of the party with having considerable amount of influence in North Mumbai. However, he made it clear that the day has not come to say goodbye to Congress. But, this was indeed a hint at what could happen in future if situation remains the same. The Elections Commission of India, earlier this month, announced that both Maharashtra and Harayana will go for assembly elections on October and results for the same will be announced on October 24. (additional inputs from ANI)