New Delhi: The first meeting of the opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc's Coordination Committee will take place on Wednesday, and it will focus mostly on negotiations on the seat-sharing mechanism and developing a broad outline of campaign strategy ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
On the evening of September 13, a gathering of the 14-person opposition panel would be held at the home of NCP leader Sharad Pawar.
A joint candidate from the opposition side would be put forward to challenge the BJP candidates for Lok Sabha seats, according to sources, hence it is important that a seat-sharing formula be worked out as soon as possible.—Inputs from Agencies

 The first meeting of the opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc's Coordination Committee will take place on Wednesday, and it will focus mostly on negotiations on the seat-sharing mechanism and developing a broad outline of campaign strategy ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Seat sharing, poll strategy on table at Oppn Coordination Committee meet

Kolkata: In the midst of a seat-sharing dispute, TMC leader Mamata Banerjee reaffirmed on Wednesday that her party will continue its alliance with the I.N.D.I.A bloc in the battle against the BJP. This declaration comes in the wake of disagreements over seat distribution between the TMC and the Congress in West Bengal.  During a closed-door organizational meeting of the TMC’s West Midnapore district unit, Banerjee firmly communicated her position. A senior TMC official present in the meeting, speaking on the condition of anonymity, shared, "Our party supremo clearly stated that the TMC would remain in the I.N.D.I.A bloc in the fight against the BJP. Although critical of the CPI(M), she did not utter a single word against the Congress."  The I.N.D.I.A bloc comprises the CPI(M), Congress, and TMC, collectively constituting a 28-party alliance. However, in West Bengal, the CPI(M) and Congress have formed an alliance against both the TMC and BJP.
 Also Read: <a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/enforcement-directorate-summons-nc-president-farooq-abdullah-for-inquiry-in-money-laundering-allegations" target="_self">https://www.thehawk.in/posts/enforcement-directorate-summons-nc-president-farooq-abdullah-for-inquiry-in-money-laundering-allegations</a>  Banerjee’s announcement follows recent remarks by TMC’s Lok Sabha Party leader Sudip Bandopadhyay, who expressed the party's willingness for an alliance with the Congress for seat-sharing in West Bengal's upcoming Lok Sabha elections but indicated preparedness to go solo if negotiations fail.  Wednesday's development coincided with state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a prominent TMC critic, asserting that the Congress wouldn't "beg" for seats from Bengal’s ruling party.  Multiple sources confirmed that the TMC is considering allocating four out of the state's 42 Lok Sabha seats to the Congress. In the 2019 elections, TMC secured 22 seats, Congress won two, and BJP bagged 18 seats in the state.  Chowdhury, also the Congress leader in Lok Sabha, secured the Baharampur seat in the 2019 elections, while Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury, a former Union minister, secured a third consecutive win from the Malda Dakshin seat.  Banerjee, expressing confidence in an alliance between TMC, Congress, and the Left in West Bengal last November, faced swift dismissal of her proposal by arch-rival CPI(M) and criticism from some Congress leaders. Days later, she accused the two parties of aligning with the BJP, affirming that the TMC would confront the saffron camp in West Bengal. The TMC had previously allied with the Congress in the 2001 assembly polls, 2009 Lok Sabha elections, and the 2011 assembly polls, leading to the ousting of the CPI(M)-led Left Front government after 34 years.
—Input from Agencies

Explore the dynamics of the TMC-Congress alliance amid seat-sharing tensions in West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee's stance, Congress response.

Political Turmoil Unfolds as Mamata Affirms TMC's Commitment to I.N.D.I.A Bloc Amidst Seat-Sharing Strife

Chiephobozou (Nagaland): In a press conference held in Nagaland during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed optimism on Tuesday that the seat-sharing issues within the I.N.D.I.A bloc would be successfully resolved. He confidently asserted that the coalition, characterized as an ideological formation in opposition to the RSS and BJP, would triumph over the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls scheduled for this year.  Gandhi emphasized the mutual respect and affection prevailing among the leaders of the I.N.D.I.A bloc, describing it as an ideological formation staunchly opposed to the BJP-RSS ideology. He assured the public that discussions on seat sharing were progressing well and that the matters at hand were not overly complex.  "We are in conversation with our partners. The issue of seat sharing is being taken up. Those discussions are ongoing and I think they are going quite well. Let us see where those discussions end," Gandhi stated.  Responding to media reports suggesting Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's discontent after a recent meeting of the I.N.D.I.A bloc, Gandhi dismissed them as an overplay by the media. He emphasized the existing mutual respect and affection between the leaders, urging the media not to spotlight isolated issues.  "The media overplays these things. By raising one issue, you (media) make that the main issue. There is mutual respect and affection between the leaders of the INDIA formation," Gandhi remarked.  Highlighting the ideological stance of the I.N.D.I.A bloc against the BJP-RSS, Gandhi expressed confidence that any minor issues within the coalition would be resolved, and together they would effectively challenge and defeat the BJP in the upcoming elections.  As discussions on seat sharing continue, certain states like Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal have become focal points of contention among the I.N.D.I.A bloc partners. Nevertheless, Gandhi remained steadfast in his belief that the opposition alliance would emerge victorious in the Lok Sabha polls, expected to take place in April-May.  "I see the I.N.D.I.A bloc placed very well in taking on the BJP in 2024," he affirmed.  The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, led by Rahul Gandhi, commenced in Thoubal, Manipur, on January 14 and reached Nagaland on Monday evening. The yatra is slated to traverse 6,713 km, passing through 100 Lok Sabha constituencies in 15 states, using various modes of transportation, and is expected to conclude in Mumbai on March 20 or 21.
—Input from Agencies

Rahul Gandhi assures resolution of I.N.D.I.A coalition's seat-sharing issues, confident of victory in Lok Sabha 2024.

Rahul Gandhi Confident on Seat-Sharing Resolution, Predicts Victory for I.N.D.I.A Coalition in Upcoming LS Polls

Lucknow: The Samajwadi Party will not participate in the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra till seat-sharing with the Congress in Uttar Pradesh is finalised, party chief Akhilesh Yadav said on Monday.
The Gandhi-led yatra will pass through Amethi on Monday. It will then enter Raebareli, where the Samajwadi Party chief had earlier said he would join.
The Samajwadi Party has offered 11 seats to the grand old party while the Congress' state unit has demanded a higher allocation.  Ajay Rai, the Congress' Uttar Pradesh unit chief, had earlier said the party should get around two dozen seats it had won in the 2009 general elections.  The Samajwadi Party and the Congress are partners in the opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc.
—PTI

Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav declares non-participation in Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra until seat-sharing with Congress in UP is settled.

Samajwadi Party will not join Rahul's Nyay Yatra till seat-sharing with Congress finalised, says Akhilesh Yadav

Lucknow: Surrounding the potential alliance with the Congress for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav addressed the media on Wednesday. Responding to questions about his absence from the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra on two occasions, Yadav stated, "All is well that ends well... Yes, there will be an alliance."
 Watch here: <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1760225408664899715?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1760224233035034809%7Ctwgr%5E4a955bd27bdaead3cda3cd8d3d0ad406a0a70e7e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deccanherald.com%2Felections%2Futtar-pradesh%2Falls-well-that-ends-well-akhilesh-clears-air-over-tie-up-with-congress-for-lok-sabha-polls-2903668" target="_self">https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1760225408664899715?</a>
 Asserting that there is no conflict, Yadav reassured the public, stating, "Everything will be out and clear soon." The Samajwadi Party and Congress have experienced some fluctuations in their seat-sharing negotiations over the past couple of months, with the SP is ready to concede 17 seats to the Congress in Uttar Pradesh.

Akhilesh Yadav clarifies alliance with Congress for Lok Sabha. Updates on Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and seat-sharing talks in Uttar Pradesh politics.

'All is well that ends well': Akhilesh Yadav Affirms Alliance with Congress for 2024 Lok Sabha Polls

New Delhi: The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seem to have finalised their seat-sharing alliance for the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, sources said on Thursday. As per the sources, both parties have locked the deal for a four-three alliance, with the AAP contesting on four and Congress settling for three. The seat-sharing alliance came through after several rounds of deliberations this week and today, as well as a meeting held at KC Venugopal's house in Delhi. During the meeting, KC Venugopal and Mukul Wasnik were present from Congress side, while Sandeep Pathak, Saurabh Bhardwaj and Atishi were representing the AAP. According to reports the AAP is likely to contest from New Delhi, South Delhi, West Delhi and North West Delhi Lok Sabha constituencies. While East Delhi, Chandni Chowk and North East Lok Sabha constituencies will be spared for Congress. A formal announcement in this regard will be made by both parties. In addition to this, it has also been learned that Congress is likely to give AAP one seat in Haryana, while AAP will support the Congres for the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat. In Gujarat, the AAP is demanding three seats, however a final agreement on this is awaited. —ANI

Congress and AAP have reached a seat-sharing agreement for Delhi's seven Lok Sabha seats, with AAP contesting four and Congress three. Details emerged after deliberations and a meeting at KC Venugopal's house.

AAP-Congress Delhi deal finalised, 4-3 seat sharing agreement inked

Mumbai: The BJP-led ruling alliance and the opposition bloc are united in their belief that winnability is the only formula for seat-sharing in Maharashtra, which sends the second-highest number of 48 MPs to the Lok Sabha after 80 from Uttar Pradesh.
Maharashtra, the country's most industrialised state and its premier FDI magnet, however, has seen a political churn since 2019, with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena breaking its long-time alliance with the BJP, and then suffering a split, just like the Sharad Pawar-founded Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). A major chunk of the Shiv Sena is now with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and it is allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The NCP also met a similar fate as Ajit Pawar walked away with a legislative majority last year and is also part of the ruling alliance.
The splits and realignments have made seat-sharing a herculean task with claims and counter-claims, leaders from the ruling and opposition parties said. Also Read: <a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/rld-leader-jayant-singh-joins-nda-meets-shah-nadda-among-bjp-leaders" target="_self">https://www.thehawk.in/posts/rld-leader-jayant-singh-joins-nda-meets-shah-nadda-among-bjp-leaders</a>&nbsp;
 The BJP, which along with the then undivided Shiv Sena won a cumulative 41 out of the 48 seats in 2019, is looking to better the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) tally to 45, whereas the opposition Congress will seek to put behind its disastrous 2019 outing when it won just one seat. The seat-sharing issue is being discussed with the central leadership, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule told PTI. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP and the Congress, is wooing the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, but the grandson of legendary social reformer Babasaheb Ambedkar is yet to make a formal announcement about his allegiance. As per sources, the BJP is expected to contest more than 30 seats, while the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, which has sought 10 seats, is likely to get four. The Shinde-led party wants to contest 18 seats, the number won by the undivided Shiv Sena in the 2019 polls. Amol Mitkari, spokesperson of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, said his party wants to contest 10 seats, including Baramati in Pune. A senior BJP leader said discussions were underway at the top level of the party leadership, adding that it would definitely contest more seats than what it did last time. Speaking about seat-sharing, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said the MVA has completed discussions and an announcement will be made soon by the top leadership of the constituent parties. However, Congress leaders said the discussion continues on seats that it was traditionally contesting as part of its alliance with the undivided NCP but were won by the Shiv Sena in the 2019 polls. The MPs from these seats are now part of the Shinde faction. The Congress is ready to contest a maximum of 20 seats, while the NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar could field candidates in nine to 10 constituencies. A senior Congress leader told PTI there was lack of clarity on how many seats Prakash Ambedkar may demand, but added "we will keep trying till the end (for alliance with VBA)". Another Congress leader said Ambedkar can damage the grand old party's prospects in at least half a dozen seats, just like in 2019, in case an alliance does not materialise. He said the Congress is ready to give Akola seat to Ambedkar. The MVA has agreed in-principle on seat adjustments and the next round of talks will take place at the central leadership level in Delhi, Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said. Another senior Congress leader said there is unanimity on 30 seats between his party and the NCP (faction led by Sharad Pawar), while there are differences on five to six of the 18 seats won in 2019 by the then undivided Shiv Sena. "The Congress wants Yavatmal, Ramtek, Hingoli, Bhiwandi and an additional seat in Mumbai. We have more MLAs, Zilla Parishad and market committee members in these constituencies and, hence, we should get to contest. The issue will be resolved soon,'' the leader added.
—PTI

As Maharashtra gears up for Lok Sabha elections, the intricate dance of seat-sharing reveals the ambitions and challenges of BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress in navigating alliances and splits for electoral advantage.

Lok Sabha seat-sharing talks a cliffhanger after splits and realignments in Maharashtra

Chennai (Tamil Nadu): Repeating the 2019 pact with its allies- Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in Tamil Nadu finalised seat-sharing agreements for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. VCK MP Thol. Thirumavalavan, while speaking to the reporters here said that his party was allotted two seats, both reserved constituencies while the Vaiko-led MDMK was given one by the alliance's lead partner.
"We have followed the same formula that was followed in the last Parliament elections. All parties agreed on this formula. In the 2019 Parliament elections, communist parties and VCK got two seats each. MDMK got one seat and similarly, in this election, we have agreed on the same formula..." Thol. Thirumavalavan said. Thol. Thirumavalavan further said that his party will contest on its own symbol, the earthen pot, and has requested the Election Commission to allot it a general symbol as it would be fielding its nominees from around 15 seats in Karnataka, Kerala and Telangana as well. In the 2019 elections, the MDMK was given one Lok Sabha seat (which it won) and one in the Rajya Sabha. Thol Thirumavalavan and Vaiko finalised and signed the seat-sharing agreement with DMK President and Chief Minister MK Stalin at the ruling party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, here. The DMK has so far finalised seat-sharing deals with allies' CPI (M), CPI, IUML and KMDK, besides VCK and MDMK. Stalin's party has, allotted two seats each to the Communist Party of India and CPIM, as well as one each to the Indian Union Muslim League and the Kongu Desa Makkal Katchi. In 2019 too, the CPI and CPIM contested four (and won four) and the IUML and KDMK one each, which they won. In Tamil Nadu, the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA)-led by DMK won 38 out of the 39 LS seats in the state. The elections for Lok Sabha is expected to be held in April-May this year.
—ANI

Finalizing seat-sharing agreements for Lok Sabha elections, DMK allies with VCK and MDMK in Tamil Nadu, echoing the successful 2019 pact.

LS Polls: DMK seals seat pact with two allies in Tamil Nadu; VCK clinches 2, MDMK to contest 1

New Delhi: Soon after the TMC declared candidates from all Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, the Congress on Sunday said its doors are open for an alliance till the withdrawal of nominations and maintained that any agreement has to be finalised through negotiations and not by unilateral announcements.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a public rally in Kolkata announced the names of 42 candidates for the Lok Saba election in the state.
"Our doors are always open and an alliance can happen anytime before withdrawal," Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said over the development. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also said that the Indian National Congress has repeatedly declared its desire to have a respectable seat-sharing agreement with the TMC in West Bengal.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/tmc-buries-cong-alliance-hopes-names-candidates-for-all-42-seats-in-bengal-springs-yousuf-pathan-surprise" target="_self">https://www.thehawk.in/posts/tmc-buries-cong-alliance-hopes-names-candidates-for-all-42-seats-in-bengal-springs-yousuf-pathan-surprise</a> "The Indian National Congress has always maintained that such an agreement has to be finalised through negotiations and not by unilateral announcements," he said in a post on X.
<a href="https://twitter.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/1766757982262395338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1766757982262395338%7Ctwgr%5E367a8375e6b8c4e1e90e25a6615e122802e3df55%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deccanherald.com%2Felections%2Findia%2Fno-unilateral-announcements-congress-responds-to-tmcs-lok-sabha-candidate-list-2930254" target="_self">https://twitter.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/1766757982262395338?</a>
"The Indian National Congress has always wanted the I.N.D.I.A. group to fight the BJP together," he added. Congress and TMC leaders have been engaged in a war of words in the recent past over seat-sharing in West Bengal, with the Mamata Banerjee-led party asserting that it cannot offer more than two seats to the Congress. The Congress has two MPs from West Bengal. The TMC is part of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc and has stated that the opposition parties are united in the fight against the BJP to defeat it in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
—PTI

Congress eyes an alliance with TMC for West Bengal's Lok Sabha seats, stressing negotiations are key to a united front against the BJP in 2024.

'Alliance can happen anytime before withdrawal of nominations': Congress responds to TMC's Lok Sabha candidate list

New Delhi: LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan on Wednesday said his party has finalised a seat-sharing formula with the BJP for the Lok Sabha polls.
Paswan announced this after a meeting with BJP chief J P Nadda here.  "All my concerns have been addressed by the BJP. I am satisfied," he told reporters.  He said the division of Lok Sabha seats in Bihar among NDA parties has been decided and will soon be formally announced.  Asked about the fate of the LJP faction led by his uncle Pashupati Paras, Chirag Paswan said, "It is not my concern".
“As a member of the NDA, today in a meeting with BJP national president J P Nadda ji, we have together finalised the seat sharing in Bihar for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls,” he said in a post on X.
<a href="https://twitter.com/iChiragPaswan/status/1767875431603302622?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1767875431603302622%7Ctwgr%5E7c8365c4eefad13b7508d4067e461bfdfc10f5d1%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deccanherald.com%2Findia%2Fbihar%2Fbjp-chirag-paswans-ljp-ram-vilas-finalise-seat-sharing-in-bihar-for-lok-sabha-elections-2935020" target="_self">https://twitter.com/iChiragPaswan/status/1767875431603302622?</a>
“The same will be announced in due course,” he added.
—PTI

LJP's Chirag Paswan announces finalized seat-sharing agreement with BJP for Bihar's Lok Sabha elections, strengthening NDA's unity.

BJP, Chirag Paswan's LJP (Ram Vilas) finalise seat-sharing in Bihar for Lok Sabha elections

New Delhi: The NDA on Monday announced its seat-sharing formula for Lok Sabha elections in Bihar, giving 17 seats to the BJP, 16 to the JD(U) and five to Chirag Paswan's LJP (Ram Vilas).
Two other NDA allies -- Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Upendra Kushwaha-led Rashtriya Lok Morcha -- will contest one seat each, Vinod Tawde, the BJP's in-charge for the Lok Sabha elections in Bihar, told a press conference at the BJP headquarters here.
"The BJP will contest 17 out of the total 40 seats and the JD(U) will contest 16. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will contest five seats," Tawde said at the presser jointly addressed by NDA allies from the state.  Bihar LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Raju Tiwari said Chirag Paswan will contest from Hajipur Lok Sabha seat, which has been given to the party under the seat-sharing pact.  With Union minister Pashupati Paras's LJP faction finding no mention in the seat-sharing deal, Bihar BJP chief Samrat Choudhary said that talks are going on with him.
—PTI

NDA announces Bihar Lok Sabha seat-sharing: BJP (17), JD(U) (16), LJP (5), with Chirag Paswan to contest from Hajipur.

NDA finalises Bihar seat-sharing for LS polls: JD(U) to contest 16, BJP to field candidates in 17 seats

The Mahagathbandhan, the opposition coalition in Bihar, on Friday announced that the RJD, its largest constituent, will contest 26, out of the state’s 40 Lok Sabha seats.
The Congress will contest nine seats, followed by CPI(ML) 3 and CPI and CPI(M) one each.  As per the announcement, the Congress has been made to give up the Purnea Lok Sabha seat, which recent entrant Pappu Yadav, husband of Rajya Sabha MP Ranjeet Ranjan, was hoping to contest, claiming that he had received assurance of Congress ticket from Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.
The seat will be contested by RJD, which recently gave the party ticket to JD(U) turncoat Bima Bharti, but stopped short announcing it formally.  The Mahagathbandhan's seat-sharing announcement comes a day after the filing of nomination papers for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls was over.
Check: <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1773606528756613526?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1773606528756613526%7Ctwgr%5Ef9974580e6bbea1b3d4e146e7ee9eaa225326c12%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deccanherald.com%2Felections%2Findia%2Flok-sabha-election-2024-rjd-to-contest-26-seats-congress-nine-left-five-in-bihar-2957439" target="_self">https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1773606528756613526?</a>
The RJD has fielded its candidates in all four seats going to polls in the first phase, in what has been resented by allies as a "unilateral move".  The Mahagathbandhan press conference here was scheduled to be addressed by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who, however, remained conspicuous by his absence.  RJD national spokesman and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha, who spoke at the press conference, said names of candidates would be announced soon in seats where the same has not been done already.  Notably, CPI and CPI(M) have already announced their candidates for Begusarai and Khagaria respectively.  Jha, who spoke in the presence of state Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh and other allies, maintained, "We have arrived at a unanimous decision and we will win".
—PTI

Mahagathbandhan announces Bihar Lok Sabha seat-sharing with RJD contesting 26 out of 40 seats. Congress, CPI(ML), CPI, and CPI(M) allocated remaining seats.

Mahagathbandhan announces LS seat-sharing for Bihar, RJD to contest 26, Congress 9 & Left 5

Mumbai: Former MP Sanjay Nirupam on Thursday took a swipe at the Congress leadership over his expulsion, claiming it was done after he sent his resignation letter to the party.
Taking note of complaints of indiscipline and anti-party statements, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge late Wednesday evening approved Nirupam's expulsion from the party for six years with immediate effect.  On Thursday morning, former Mumbai Congress chief Nirupam in a post on X said, "Looks like, immediately after the party received my resignation letter last night, they decided to issue my expulsion. Good to see such promptness."
<a href="https://twitter.com/sanjaynirupam/status/1775721299416932499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1775721299416932499%7Ctwgr%5E2c76c4cd8d3233c92d3ed4704240e03a04892c6a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deccanherald.com%2Felections%2Fmaharashtra%2Fexpulsion-action-taken-after-congress-received-my-resignation-letter-claims-sanjay-nirupam-2964649" target="_self">https://twitter.com/sanjaynirupam/status/1775721299416932499?</a>
In the letter to Kharge, Nirupam said, "I have finally decided to fulfil your much awaited desire and hereby announce that I chose to resign from the primary membership of the All India Congress Committee."

Also Read: <a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/%22video-distored-by-bjp-no-intention-to-insult-anyone%22-randeep-surjewala-on-remarks-against-bjp-mp-hema-malini" target="_self">https://www.thehawk.in/posts/%22video-distored-by-bjp-no-intention-to-insult-anyone%22-randeep-surjewala-on-remarks-against-bjp-mp-hema-malini</a>&nbsp;
Nirupam, who was eyeing the Mumbai North West Lok Sabha constituency, was miffed with the party for allowing the Shiv Sena (UBT) to take the seat for the upcoming parliamentary polls.
The demand for action against Nirupam grew after he castigated the Maharashtra Congress leadership for 'ceding' constituencies in Mumbai to the Uddhav Thackeray-led party during seat-sharing talks of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance for Lok Sabha elections.  Earlier on Wednesday, the Congress dropped Nirupam's name as a star campaigner, indicating the crisis was escalating.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/%22can't-raise-anti-sanatana-slogans%22:-congress-leader-gourav-vallabh-resigns-from-party" target="_self">https://www.thehawk.in/posts/%22can't-raise-anti-sanatana-slogans%22:-congress-leader-gourav-vallabh-resigns-from-party</a>&nbsp;
Nirupam then launched a sharp attack, saying as the party was experiencing a 'serious financial crisis', it should utilise the stationery and energy to save itself, apparently alluding to the Income Tax Department's action for tax demand.  The former MP from Mumbai North had also said the Congress leadership should not allow itself to be arm-twisted by the Shiv Sena (UBT).  Accepting the Shiv Sena (UBT's) decision to unilaterally field candidates in Mumbai amounted to allowing the destruction of Congress, he had claimed.  A former Shiv Sainik, Nirupam quit Shiv Sena in 2005.  He took up the cause of north Indian hawkers and subsequently made his way into the Congress. In 2009, he successfully contested from Mumbai North seat.  Nirupam lost the 2014 elections from the same constituency against BJP's Gopal Shetty.
—PTI

Ex-MP Sanjay Nirupam's resignation and subsequent expulsion from Congress stir controversy. His remarks on party leadership and seat-sharing with Shiv Sena highlight internal strife.

Congress expelled me after receiving resignation letter: Sanjay Nirupam

Mumbai (Maharashtra): After weeks of hectic negotiations, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) constituents on Tuesday announced their seat-sharing arrangement for Maharashtra's 48 Lok Sabha seats. Under the arrangement, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) will contest 21 seats, Congress will fight on 17 seats and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) will put up candidates in 10 seats.
The seat-sharing arrangement was jointly announced by NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole. The MVA and the ruling Mahayuti, comprising the BJP, NCP led by Ajit Pawar and Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde are in tough contest for the 48 parliamentary seats in Maharashtra.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/%22indi-alliance-leaders-declined-pran-pratishtha-invite-insulted-lord-ram...%22:-pm-modi-in-pilibhit-rally" target="_self">https://www.thehawk.in/posts/%22indi-alliance-leaders-declined-pran-pratishtha-invite-insulted-lord-ram...%22:-pm-modi-in-pilibhit-rally</a>  The BJP and the undivided Shiv Sena fought the 2019 Lok Sabha polls together and won 23 and 18 seats respectively.
The Lok Sabha polls will be held in the state in five phases from April 19 to May 20. In the first phase on April 19, Ramtek, Nagpur, Bhandara-Gondiya, Gadchiroli-Chimur, and Chandrapur will go to polls.
 Also Read: <a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/%22return-of-ideology%22:-ex-union-minister-birender-singh-joins-congress" target="_self">https://www.thehawk.in/posts/%22return-of-ideology%22:-ex-union-minister-birender-singh-joins-congress</a>&nbsp;
Buldhana, Akola, Amravati, Wardha, Yavatmal-Washim, Hingoli, Nanded, and Parbhani will vote in the second phase on April 26. Raigad, Baramati, Osmanabad, Latur, Solapur, Madha, Sangli, Satara, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, and Kolhapur will vote in the third phase to be held on May 7. Polling will be held across Nandurbhar, Jalgaon, Raver, Jalna, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maval, Pune, Shirur, Ahmednagar, Beed, and Shirdi in the fourth phase on May 13. Dhule, Dindori, Nashik, Palghar, Kalyan, Thane, Mumbai North, Mumbai North-West, Mumbai North-East, Mumbai North-Central, Mumbai South and Mumbai South-Central will vote in the final phase on May 20. Votes will be counted on June 4.
—ANI

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