Mumbai: The Mumbai Congress seems to be divided over leadership of Sanjay Nirupam. Former Union minister Milind Deora alleged that Nirupam is playing politics of specific community. Upset with working style of Nirupam, Deora said that he would not contest the ensuing Lok Sabha polls if the current situation prevailed. Speaking to a news channel, Deora said that the Mumbai Congress never known for a party of a specific community or class.
However, in the regime of Nirupam, senior party leaders were ignored, kept aside from the party activity and brought forward leaders from his own community only. “I am pained to see what is happening in Mumbai Congress at present. I have conveyed it to Rahul Gandhi that if they are unable to bring people together, then, I don’t want to be in politics or may reconsider fighting the Lok Sabha elections,” said Deora.
In the interview, he opened up about the infighting within Mumbai Congress, and how it had impacted several leaders’ morale. “Yes, I can say that I am hurt on a personal level and I am disappointed but I do really hope that we are able to fix this problem as soon as possible,” he said.
While elaborating on the problems in Mumbai Congress, he said, “I have never seen politics reach a level where many leaders feel left out and many are staying at home. That is unfortunate.” He gave examples of his father and of late Gurudas Kamat, and pointed out how they never let any Congressman feel distanced because of the communities he belonged to.
