Cong leader Sanjay Nirupam takes swipe at Shiv Sena, accuses Uddhav Thackeray of fielding ‘Khichdi Chor’
Sanjay Nirupam (L) Uddhav Thackeray (R)
The differences among the opposition parties of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra were out in the open on Wednesday after Congress leaders attacked the Shiv Sena (UBT) for unilaterally announcing its Lok Sabha candidatesfor four seats in Mumbai.
Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Nirupam targeted Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray for fielding a 'khichdi chor' from the seat where he was presenting a strong candidature. He was referring to the alleged scam in Khichdi distribution to the poor during Covid pandemic.
Expressing his dissatisfaction over the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidates' announcement, Nirupam said the announcement of Amol Kirtikar's candidacy for Mumbai North-West seat was a violation of alliance dharma.
"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 intentionally 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," news agency ANI quoted Nirupam as saying.
"The manner in which Shiv Sena (UBT) has announced candidates on 4 out of the 6 Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai has upset the Congress cadres. Mumbai Congress leadership is very upset. Voters of Congress will also be upset due to the same. I would like to demand from our top leadership that they should take a stand against this decision of the Shiv Sena," Nirupam added.
Nirupam further urged the Congress party to break the ties and contest the polls on the disputed seats in a friendly manner. "There are only two options - First, break off the alliance. Second, have a friendly fight. Congress should field candidates for the seats on which we have a dispute and have not reached a solution..." he added
Nirupam's remarks came hours after Shiv Sena (UBT), a constituent of the opposition MVA, released its first list of 17 candidates in Maharashtra and said it would contest 22 of the 48 seats in the state.
(With inputs from agencies)