Shiv Sena fielding a 'Khichdi chor' in Mumbai, alliance with Uddhav Sena destroying Congress: Sanjay Nirupam

Reacting to the Shiv Sena's (UBT) announcement of its first list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, senior Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam warns against what he perceives as an "extreme stand" taken by the Sena. Among the candidates named, Amol Kirtikar from Mumbai North West parliamentary constituency stands out, drawing sharp reactions from the Congress camp.

Nirupam, addressing reporters at a press conference in Mumbai, expressed his concerns over the alliance between the Congress and the Shiv Sena, suggesting that it might have adverse effects. He urged the Congress leadership to intervene, emphasizing the potential self-destructive consequences of aligning with the Sena. Nirupam's remarks come in the wake of Balasaheb Thorat's objections being seemingly disregarded by the Sena.

"The arbitrary manner in which Shiv Sena (UBT) has announced candidates on 4 out of the 6 Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai. I would like to demand from our top leadership that they should take a stand against this decision of the Shiv Sena. Secondly, the candidate that Shiv Sena has fielded from northwest Mumbai - where I was presenting a strong candidature - took bribes from the contractor in COVID Khichdi scam. ED is probing it...Shiv Sena is deliberately fielding such a 'Khichdi chor'. This has hurt Congress cadres. I am upset too. I am sad that our negotiators didn't present Congress party's stand strongly...Shiv Sena (UBT) has attempted to suppress Congress. This attempt is part of conspiracy to finish Congress in Mumbai...Congress leadership will have to take a stand," Nirupam said.



"The decision of an alliance with Shiv Sena will prove self-destructive for Congress and its impact will be felt in Maharashtra and even beyond," Nirupam added.

Thorat, who was part of the negotiation team with the Shiv Sena, voiced his concerns, indicating that his suggestions were overlooked, leading to disillusionment among party members involved in the negotiation process.

"Balasaheb Thorat was one of the members appointed to lead the negotiation with the Shiv Sena. If he is saying that there should be a rethink, it means that even his words were not considered. If they have not listened to the negotiating team, it means we have all lost," Nirupam lamented.

Nirupam, contemplating his next steps, hinted at keeping all options open. "Now all options are open for me. I will wait for one week and take my decision," he asserted.

The decision of the Shiv Sena to field candidates in Mumbai has raised questions about the intentions behind the move, with Nirupam alleging a strategy to sideline the Congress in the city.

"This is to side line Congress in Mumbai. How will Congress voters in Mumbai give vote to Shiv Sena UBT?" Nirupam questioned.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to unveil the list of 17 candidates for various constituencies in Maharashtra, marking the beginning of what promises to be a contentious electoral battle.

The alliance landscape in Maharashtra is complex, with the UBT Sena joining forces with the Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar), and the Congress for the upcoming polls. Scheduled in five phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 20, the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra are poised to be a crucial battleground, considering the state's significant contribution of 48 Lok Sabha seats.

In the 2019 elections, the BJP emerged as the dominant force in Maharashtra, securing 23 out of 25 contested seats, while the undivided Shiv Sena claimed 18 out of 23 seats. However, with shifting political dynamics and new alliances, the upcoming polls hold the promise of reshaping the state's political landscape.