Nirupam one step closer to Cong, meets Sonia

Former Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam is set to join the Congress and an announcement to this effect is likely to be made soon.Nirupam met ...

Former Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam is set to join the Congress and an announcement to this effect is likely to be made soon.

Nirupam met Congress president Sonia Gandhi at her residence this evening after decks were cleared for his admission to the party. Nirupam told reporters after the meeting: ‘‘I expressed a desire to her to join Congress.’’ But he did not reveal Sonia’s response to his request.

Sources said Nirupam explained to the Congress chief the circumstances that led to his resignation from the Sena.

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It is not sure if Nirupam has received an assurance of a renomination for the Rajya Sabha seat, which he gave up while parting company with Sena leader Bal Thackeray. Those understood to have set their eyes on the vacant seat include Andhra Pradesh Governor Sushilkumar Shinde.

Hailing from Bihar, Nirupam has a strong lobby in the Congress which is opposed to his entry into the party. His image of a vocal Hindutva protagonist and strong criticism of the ‘dynasty’ were considered major blocks on his way. However, Nirupam tried to overcome them by distancing himself from Hindutva while pledging himself in favour of secularism.

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