Congress Former Member of Parliament from South Mumbai Milind Deora dropped hints of a possible rift within the Congress Unit State. In an Interview on a news channel, Deora said he may not want to contest upcoming Lok Sabha Polls 2019 because of the ‘Infighting’ with the state Unit. He said, “It is no secret that there are problems in the party” as he started on Infighting within the party.
Deora had clashed with Sanjay Nirupam for the post State Unit Chief but had lost to. Bigg Boss 11 Winner Shilpa Shinde enters politics; joins Congress in presence of Sanjay Nirupam
He added that Sanjay Nirupam’s leadership had failed party members. A former MP from Mumbai South and at present part of the Congress’ publicity committee for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Deora said he had spoken to Congress President Rahul Gandhi in this regard and had conveyed his concerns.
Deora on Tuesday put out a series of tweets, saying he was “disappointed with what is happening” in the Congress’s city unit, a reference to the long conflict between city unit chief Sanjay Nirupam and other leaders, among them Deora himself. ‘I’m disappointed with what is happening – and the party is aware of my stance on fighting the Lok Sabha elections. However, I have full faith in our central leadership and its commitment to our party’s ideology and principles. Especially in Mumbai, where the Congress was born.’ Former MP from South Mumbai said in a tweet.
He added, “While I do not intend to discuss internal party affairs in public, remarks made in a recent interview have forced me to repeat my strong commitment towards the need for the Mumbai Congress to remain a symbol of Mumbai’s diversity and to strengthen its social fabric”.
@INCIndia is leading a powerful, united campaign across India. Infighting cannot, and should not, be allowed to threaten our base in Mumbai. I appeal to all Congress leaders in Mumbai to unite as a team. We owe this much to our party and to Congress President @RahulGandhi.
— Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा ☮️ (@milinddeora) February 5, 2019
In a city like Mumbai, which is our economic and cultural capital, we need to bring people together. The Mumbai Congress cannot become a cricket pitch for sectarian politics, with leaders pitted against one other.
— Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा ☮️ (@milinddeora) February 5, 2019
The Mumbai Congress cannot become a cricket pitch for sectarian politics, with leaders pitted against one other,” he added.
Earlier, there were reports of infighting within the unit over Lok Sabha seat-sharing. The party’s parliamentary board meeting held last week had reportedly failed to finalize the list of candidates for the upcoming elections. Nirupam is reportedly being adamant on contesting from Mumbai West and not Mumbai North. Deora is said to have objected to the demand.
It is noteworthy, that a delegation of city Congress leaders had a few months ago met Rahul Gandhi urging that Nirupam is stripped of the city chief’s post and replaced with Deora.
Earlier on January 8, Former Congress MP Priya Dutt announced that she will not contest the upcoming Lok Sabha 2019 Polls citing ‘personal reasons’. She said while opting herself out from electoral battle, “it’s time to take a break from active politics”. High Profile Politician from Mumbai was first elected to Lok Sabha in 2005 on a Congress ticket from Mumbai North West seat after her father Sunil Dutt‘s death.
The Congress had in 2014 general elections won only 2 out of 48 constituencies in Maharashtra. The party may contest the upcoming general election in alliance with Sharad Pawar’s NCP.
“Of the total 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, both NCP and Congress may possibly contest on 20 seats each. The remaining eight seats will be allotted to others allies,” NCP leader Praful Patel said recently.