Former Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam, along with his wife and daughter, made a significant move on Friday by joining Shiv Sena in Mumbai, marking a 'ghar wapasi' after two decades. The transition took place in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Sanjay Nirupam's decision to join Shiv Sena came after he was expelled from the Congress for alleged "indiscipline" and "anti-party statements," as confirmed by Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal. The expulsion was approved by the Congress President for a period of six years.
The action against Nirupam followed his remarks against the Shiv Sena during seat-sharing talks for the Lok Sabha election. After his expulsion, Nirupam asserted that the disciplinary action was taken following his resignation from the party's primary membership.
His removal from the list of star campaigners for the Congress party in the Lok Sabha general elections 2024 further solidified his departure from the party.
Nirupam's desire to contest from the Mumbai North West seat was thwarted after the seat went to Shiv Sena's candidate Amot Kirtikar due to seat-sharing arrangements.
Expressing his views, Nirupam highlighted that the Shiv Sena's decision to field candidates in Mumbai was aimed at sidelining the Congress.
The political landscape in Maharashtra, with its 48 Lok Sabha seats, holds significant importance, being the second-largest contributor to the lower house of Parliament after Uttar Pradesh.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP emerged victorious in 23 out of 25 contested seats, while the undivided Shiv Sena secured 18 seats. The undivided NCP, part of the opposition alliance, contested 19 seats and won four, showcasing the state's political dynamics.
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