Former Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam, along with his wife and daughter, made a significant political move by joining the Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, on Friday. This decision marks Nirupam's return to his political roots, as he rejoins the party that initially served as his political launchpad in Mumbai nearly two decades after he left.
Speaking about his decision to join the Shiv Sena, Nirupam referred to it as a "ghar wapasi" or homecoming after two decades. He expressed his disillusionment with the current state of affairs in the Congress and emphasized his long-standing association with the Shiv Sena.
At the induction ceremony, Eknath Shinde warmly welcomed Nirupam into the party fold, promising to uphold his trust. Maharashtra Chief Minister, present at the event, lauded Nirupam's decision and highlighted his commitment to the party's cause.
Nirupam's political journey has been marked by various twists and turns. Initially emerging as a prominent face within the Shiv Sena, Nirupam was appointed to the Rajya Sabha by party chief Bal Thackeray in 1996. However, his tenure faced challenges, leading to his eventual transition to the Congress in 2005.
During his tenure with the Congress, Nirupam held significant positions within the party's Maharashtra unit and achieved electoral success, notably winning the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat in the 2009 elections.
However, his relationship with the Congress soured recently, resulting in his expulsion from the party for six years due to alleged indiscipline and anti-party activities. Nirupam's desire to contest the Mumbai North West Lok Sabha constituency under the Congress banner was thwarted due to seat-sharing agreements within the MVA alliance, leading to his departure from the party.
Nirupam's decision to join the Shiv Sena comes amid ongoing political realignments in Maharashtra, particularly following the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi. Despite his past opposition to the alliance, Nirupam's move signals a significant shift in the state's political landscape, underscoring the fluidity and complexity of political affiliations in the region.
