The Congress party on Wednesday expelled senior leader Sanjay Nirupam for a duration of six years due to his ‘indiscipline’ and ‘anti-party statements’.
“Taking note of the complaints of indiscipline and anti-party statements, the Congress president has approved the expulsion of Sanjay Nirupam from the party for a period of six years with immediate effect,” stated a letter issued by Congress general secretary KC Venugopal.
The ex-MP was ousted from the Congress shortly after criticizing the state party leadership during negotiations with Shiv Sena (UBT) regarding seat-sharing for the Lok Sabha elections.
Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole announced that the party had commenced disciplinary proceedings against Nirupam.
“His name was mentioned in the star campaigners, which has been cancelled. The kind of statements he has been making, action will be taken,” Patole had said.
In response, Nirupam utilized social media platform X to express his views, stating that the Congress should refrain from ‘wasting energy’. He suggested that the party should focus its efforts on overcoming its serious financial crisis instead. Nirupam indicated that the deadline he had set for the party expires today and promised to disclose his future plans tomorrow.
The ousted Congress leader criticized the Maharashtra Congress leadership following the announcement by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) of its candidates for four out of six Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai, including the Mumbai North West seat, which he had his sights set on.
He had also voiced his opinion that the Congress leadership should not succumb to pressure from Shiv Sena (UBT).
Acknowledging Shiv Sena (UBT)’s unilateral decision to field candidates in Mumbai was seen by the former Mumbai Congress president as permitting the demise of the Congress party.
Nirupam, who faced defeat in the 2014 elections from the same constituency against BJP’s Gopal Shetty, is said to be eager to contest from the Mumbai North-West constituency. However, Shiv Sena (UBT) disrupted his plans by nominating its candidate.