Murli has the last laugh

When asked for his reaction to Kamat’s decision Deora was succinct: “Those who cannot win elections boycott them.” Subsequently he relented to add that now he had won the election he would take all the factions of the party under his umbrella and they would work as a cohesive unit.

The drama began early on Monday as Kamat announced his boycott over the faulty voters’ list. His contention was rejected by Pradesh Returning Officer Santosh Mohan Deb who made it clear that the elections were held as per the constitution of the All India Congress Committee. “All the objections raised by Kamat were examined by AICC Returning Officer Oscar Fernandes and AICC General Secretary Meira Kumar who observed that there was no substance in the allegations,” said Santosh Mohan Deb.

Along with Deora, his entire executive committee including Sharad Dighe, Sayed Ahmad (both Vice Presidents), Kripa Shankar Singh (General Secretary) and K P Jain (Treasurer), were also elected unopposed.

In fact it was for these “men” of his that Deora agreed to stand for these elections. (At the time of his resignation he had said categorically that under no circumstances would he contest the organisational elections). “It was owing to pressure from well wishers like Sunil Dutt and Sharad Dighe that I changed my decision for the cause of the party and decided to contest the elections,” Deora explained.“With the trust and affection expressed by the citizens of Mumbai in general and party workers in particular, I had no other alternative but to change my decision and accept the responsibility in all humility.” Meanwhile, Kamat condemned the announcement of Deora’s election saying none of those elected today belong to the electoral college of Mumbai Regional Congress Committee (MRCC) and hence stood disqualified.Kamat said it was unfortunate that those who were not the members of the electoral college, were allowed to contest in blatant violation of the rules.

“PCC delegates from Mumbai have voted to elect district committees in the city, they have participated in the election of the AICC President today, they will participate in the MPCC elections tomorrow, but have been disallowed to vote for the MRCC elections,” Kamat said.

Referring to Kamat’s charge, Deora said that right since the inception of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee, there are 17 voters – six district presidents, one vice president from each of the district, three heads of the frontal organisations, a legislator and leader of the house in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. “Even in today’s election also, we have followed the same procedure, which has been laid down by late Indira Gandhi, who had given special status to MRCC,” Deora pointed out.