Sanjay Nirupam Set to Reunite with Shiv Sena in a 'Homecoming' Event this Friday

Former Congress leader and ex-MP Sanjay Nirupam, accompanied by his supporters, announced his decision to join the ruling Shiv Sena in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday.

Expressing his excitement, Nirupam informed the media about his meeting with the CM and their mutual agreement for him and his supporters to join the Shiv Sena on Friday. CM Shinde echoed a similar sentiment, affirming the forthcoming alliance.

Nirupam described his forthcoming move as a 'ghar-wapasi' (homecoming) to the Shiv Sena after an interval of around 18 years. He reminisced about his previous senior leadership role within the party but emphasized his strong opposition to the 2019 Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance between the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, and the undivided Shiv Sena under former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

Upon joining the Shiv Sena, Nirupam pledged his full support and vowed to actively campaign for all its Lok Sabha candidates, both in Mumbai and beyond.

Originally hailing from Rohtas in Bihar, Nirupam had severed ties with the undivided Shiv Sena due to ideological differences, particularly regarding its anti-north Indian stance, and subsequently joined the Congress.

A seasoned journalist-turned-politician, Nirupam had served as a Rajya Sabha Member twice and gained significant recognition by defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party heavyweight Ram Naik in the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat in 2009. Notably, Naik had previously been defeated by Bollywood actor Govinda Ahuja in 2004, who is now actively campaigning for the Shiv Sena-MahaYuti Lok Sabha candidates in Maharashtra.

Despite his earlier victory, Nirupam couldn't replicate the same success in 2014 and lost to the BJP's Gopal C. Shetty amidst the 'BJP wave' prevalent at the time.

Subsequently, Nirupam assumed the role of Mumbai Congress President in 2015, but he parted ways with the party in April 2014 following a contentious dispute with the party leadership after being denied a ticket to contest the Mumbai North West Lok Sabha constituency.