Amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Maharashtra leader Sanjay Nirupam, having shifted allegiance from Congress to Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, took a dig at Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Taking to his X account, Nirupam said that Sharad Pawar has been thinking of merging his party with Congress for a long time. Nirupam claimed that Congress had extended this proposal to Pawar multiple times, but the plans never came to fruition due to his daughter's involvement. Pawar had suggested that Congress transfer leadership in Maharashtra to his daughter, a proposal which was declined by the party, he claimed.
"Now the situation has changed. His (Pawar's) party has disintegrated. His latest statement means that Baramati may slip out of his hands, perhaps he fears so. Even if that doesn't happen, Pawar has no option but to merge his party with the Congress," Nirupam said. "Even if Pawar's party manages to save Baramati, he has no option but to merge with the Congress. Because the political acumen of his daughter is insufficient to save a sinking party. If the merger takes place, it will be of two loss-making companies. The result, a big zero," he added.
Did Pawar hint at a potential merger with Congress?
Nirupam's remarks came after Pawar recently hinted at joining the Congress party in future. Speaking to The Indian Express, Pawar had said that remarked that some regional parties might forge closer ties with Congress or even consider merging with it in the next two years. He emphasized the shared ideological foundation between Congress and his NCP party, saying both parties work on Nehru-Gandhi principles. Pawar's statement sparked speculation about a potential merger with Congress in the future. However, Pawar clarified that any such decision would only come after thorough discussions and consensus among all party leaders.
Sanjay Nirupam returns to Shiv Sena after 19 years
It should be mentioned here that former Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam joined the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on May 3. The former Mumbai MP's political journey, thus, came a full circle as he had left the undivided Shiv Sena, then led by Bal Thackeray, 19 years ago. He began his political career as editor of `Dophar Ka Saamana', the Hindi mouthpiece of the Shiv Sena, in the 1990s, and became the party's North Indian face. He joined Congress in 2005 and was appointed general secretary of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee. He won the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat in the 2009 elections, defeating BJP veteran Ram Naik. He held various positions in the Grand Old Party and also headed the city unit before falling out with the state Congress leadership.
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