Former Congress Leader Sanjay Nirupam Joins Eknath Shinde-Led Shiv Sena

Thane: Former Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam, along with his wife and daughter on Friday joined the Shiv Sena, in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Nirupam’s return to the Shiv Sena after nearly two decades marked a homecoming for him. His departure from the undivided Shiv Sena had left a lasting impact, but now he has chosen to align with the party once again.

“I have decided to join Shiv Sena today. After 20 years, joining Shiv Sena is like a ‘ghar wapasi’. I will join the party in the presence of the CM (Eknath Shinde)…You know what is the condition of Congress today,” said Nirupam.

The move comes shortly after his expulsion from the Congress due to alleged “anti-party activities.”

Nirupam’s discontent with the Congress was exacerbated by the party’s decision to relinquish the Mumbai North West constituency in favour of a candidate from Shiv Sena, under a seat-sharing agreement within the INDIA bloc. This move was perceived by Nirupam as a deliberate attempt to sideline Congress in Mumbai politics.

The rift between Nirupam and Congress widened further when his name was omitted from the list of star campaigners for the Lok Sabha polls. This series of events ultimately led to Nirupam tendering his resignation from the primary membership of the All India Congress Committee.