Congress Ousts Sanjay Nirupam Over Indiscipline, He Plans Next Move

Mumbai, April 3 - In a significant political development, the Congress party has expelled Sanjay Nirupam, a former Member of Parliament (MP) from Mumbai, following his critical remarks about the party's ally, Shiv Sena UBT. The decision was announced late Wednesday evening, with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge approving Nirupam's expulsion for a period of six years, effective immediately. This move came after Nirupam was removed from the list of star campaigners earlier in the day, signaling escalating tensions within the party.

Nirupam's expulsion was prompted by complaints regarding his indiscipline and anti-party statements. The controversy reached a peak after Nirupam criticized the Maharashtra Congress leadership for conceding constituencies in Mumbai to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena UBT during seat-sharing discussions for the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Responding to his expulsion, Nirupam launched a sharp critique of the Congress party, highlighting its financial difficulties. He suggested that the party should focus on conserving resources to address its fiscal challenges. "The time frame I had given to the party ends today. I will spell out my next course of action tomorrow," he stated on Twitter, hinting at an impending announcement regarding his political future.

Nirupam's relationship with the Congress had been under strain due to his outspoken criticism of the party's strategy and leadership in Maharashtra. His remarks against allowing Shiv Sena UBT to unilaterally field candidates in Mumbai, particularly concerning the Mumbai North West seat which he was interested in, underscored his discontent with the party's direction.

Sanjay Nirupam, who shifted allegiance from Shiv Sena to Congress in 2005, has been a prominent figure in Mumbai's political landscape. He championed the cause of north Indian hawkers and secured a victory from the Mumbai North constituency in 2009. However, he faced defeat in the 2014 elections against BJP's Gopal Shetty from the same constituency.

The recent actions taken by Congress against Nirupam reflect deeper issues within the party concerning alliance strategies and internal dissent. As Nirupam prepares to announce his next steps, the political landscape in Mumbai awaits further developments with keen interest.