Irked by Nirupam, Rane refuses to campaign in Mumbai

Mumbai: Expressing dissatisfaction with Congress’ city unit president Sanjay Nirupam’s style of functioning, senior party leader Narayan Rane has refused to campaign in Mumbai, citing a busy schedule of rallies in the state. “Nirupam alone is able enough to campaign for party in the city. Speaking with the reporters, Mr Rane said he has responsibilities of Thane, Ulhasnagar municipalities as well as Ratnagiri and Sindhudurga districts elections.

He further said that he would have to campaign in other municipal councils and all zilla parishads. Mr Rane was the leader who pushed for an alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party across state. He was of the opinion that both parties should seize the opportunity when the Sena and BJP are contesting independently in Mumbai. In meeting with senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Mr Rane had expressed dissatisfaction with Mr Nirupam’s functioning.

Mr Rane is Congress in-charge of Thane and Ulhasnagar municipal councils where he has sealed the alliance deal with the NCP. In last week, Mr Rane called Mr Nirupam to his residence in Juhu and instructed him to go for an alliance with NCP. Mr Rane switched from Sena to Congress in 2006. In the 2014 Assembly elections, Mr Rane lost to the Sena candidate. Later in bypoll at Bandra East assembly constituency, he again lost in 2015 against the Sena candidate. Later in 2016, he got elected through the Legislative Council.