In the heat of the Lok Sabha election campaigns, heavyweight Maharashtra leader Sanjay Nirupam launched a scathing attack on the Gandhi family on Thursday. He declared that five power centers have formed within the Congress Party. These include Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi. He stated that the Congress Party has become ideologically fragmented and directionless, with internal strife being rampant.
Sanjay Nirupam mentioned that Shiv Sena's remaining leaders, including Uddhav Thackeray, had recently visited Delhi and labeled the BJP as a 'Corrupt People's Party.' He questioned that if they truly believed this, why did they then allot a ticket to a corrupt candidate from his constituency. He also accused the party of nominating a 'Khichdi thief' as a candidate from his area. It's noteworthy that the Uddhav faction has announced Amol Kirtikar as the candidate from Mumbai Northwest, who is also summoned by ED in connection with the COVID Khichdi scam.
'There used to be one power center in Congress'
The current question is why the Congress is acting out of character. With the emergence of five power centers, there are now distinct lobbies and factions within the party. This internal conflict has become a source of distress for ordinary workers like me.
Read More: Sanjay Nirupam and the Congress fallout: Party loses three key faces within 24 hours
'Conflict among Congress's lobbies'
Nirupam said there are now five power centers in Congress, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and KC Venugopal, the latter two having their own set of inexperienced friends making grand statements. He criticized the internal lobby conflicts and the growing distress amongst the party's leaders. Highlighting his patience having run out, he shared his resignation letter and noted the quick expulsion action from the party.
'Congress has turned its back on Lord Ram'
Nirupam emphasized that Gandhi's vision of secularism never opposed any religion, unlike Nehru's, which seemed to. He criticized the party for showing opposition to religious beliefs, even those relating to Lord Ram. He bemoaned the Congress' estrangement from religious festivals, and that Hinduism now carries a sense of pride in India, with temples being places of reverence for all.
Read Also: Congress expels Sanjay Nirupam, sidelining him for 6 years following critical remarks
The turmoil in Maharashtra Congress continues
The storm of upheaval in Maharashtra Congress shows no sign of abating. Sanjay Nirupam has been expelled for six years for anti-party activities, although he asserts that he resigned himself. Amidst this, prominent leaders Ashok Chavan and Milind Deora have also left the fray. Nirupam has served as a member in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and has previously targeted the party's top leadership during negotiations with Shiv Sena (UBT) for seat-sharing during the elections. Now, after having first been suspended, he's been expelled from the party. His tweet about the promptness of the expulsion reflects his sarcasm and disappointment.
Sanjay Nirupam, the rebel against Congress
Having been a member of the opposition in the past, Nirupam's current stance marks a significant shift. His quest was to represent Mumbai Northwest, but the Uddhav faction unilaterally declared their candidates for four of the six Lok Sabha seats from Mumbai, causing discontent for Nirupam, who had earlier expressed resentment over the dominance of the Uddhav faction in the seat-sharing negotiations.
Sanjay Nirupam has served twice as a Rajya Sabha MP
Nirupam had been associated with Shiv Sena before joining Congress in 2005. He won the 2009 election from Mumbai North contesting on a Congress ticket. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Nirupam contested from Mumbai Northwest and was defeated by BJP's Gopal Shetty. He has been a member of the Rajya Sabha representing both Shiv Sena and Congress.
