Leaders of the Congress and the Shiv Sena (UBT) in Maharashtra are engaged in a feud over announcing the candidate for the Mumbai North-West Lok Sabha constituency.
Shiv Sena (UBT) announced that Amol Kirtikar, the son of sitting Shiv Sena MP, Gajanan Kirtikar, would contest from the seat. On the other hand, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam has staked claim to contest the election from Mumbai North-West, saying it was the party’s seat “traditionally”.
“District leaders and workers from Mumbai North-West have given my name and they all want me to contest the election from this Lok Sabha seat. Earlier, Sunil Dutt, Priya Dutt and Gurudas Kamat were elected from the same seat. Therefore, this time I should contest from the seat,” said Nirupam.
He also said the Shiv Sena (UBT) was in “breach” of the alliance as it announced the candidates before any discussions. “Therefore, I announce my candidature from the seat,” the Congress leader added.
Nirupam, a former Rajya Sabha MP, also called a meeting of party workers on Sunday. Posting the announcement for the meeting on X, he wrote, “Lok Sabha elections are knocking. This time the Congress tricolour is sure to be hoisted in Mumbai North-West constituency. This parliamentary constituency belonged to Congress and will remain Congress’s.”
He added that Maharashtra Congress observer Ramesh Chennithala would be the chief guest of the meeting.
Chennithala, who is currently in Mumbai, denied speculations of a rift within the MVA and said Nirupam was expressing his wish to contest from the Mumbai North-West seat. He added that the candidate will be declared once a discussion takes place.