Mumbai: A war of words has erupted between Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar and Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam following Mr Nirupam’s assertion that awarding Mr Pawar with Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second highest civilian honour, is a sign of a covert alliance between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and NCP.
“Nirupam is a stupid person. What is his contribution for Mumbai and Maharashtra?” an angry Mr Pawar said in Kolhapur. Mr Pawar’s outburst came after Mr Nirupam alleged that NCP and BJP are hand-in-glove for the upcoming civic bodies and Zilla Parishad elections in the state. Mr Nirupam had said that the Padma Vibhushan award recently announced for Mr Pawar is a sign of a hidden alliance between NCP and BJP.
Mr Nirupam had to face a strong reaction from his own party on Saturday over his comment. His bitter party colleague and former Member of Parliament Gurudas Kamat slammed Mr Nirupam, saying in a press release, “This honour is not only to Mr Pawar but also to the State of Maharashtra. Political differences should not be brought in between keeping up the honour of the State and it’s people.”
Meanwhile, it looks unlikely that Congress and NCP will form an alliance for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Back channel talks between the two parties got derailed after NCP rejected Congress’ proposal of offering 30 seats in alliance, sources said. The NCP was initially keen for an alliance with Congress. But from the start, Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam has expressed reservations about allying with NCP. Mr Nirupam has been providing statistics of the last two municipal election results to back his claim that Congress should contest independently.
However, after ex-MP Mr Kamat criticised Mr Nirupam over his style of functioning and ex-MLA Krishna Hegade joined BJP, the Congress high command had to intervene. It sent senior leader and former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda to pacify the warring factions in the party.
