Nirupam: Can’t accept MNS in anti-BJP alliance

Mumbai: Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam has opposed the Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP’s) proposal to accommodate the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in the anti-BJP mega-alliance, claiming that it will be more of a nuisance than help. Mr Nirupam said that this would affect the Congress in UP, Bihar and other states. He also said the MNS indulged in violence which the Congress could not support.

In a meeting of Congress and NCP leaders held recently, NCP proposed an alliance with MNS across Maharashtra, as the latter had a hold on some constituencies in the state. But the ideology of MNS would never suit the Congress as it had agitated violently against north Indians.

If the Congress were to give its nod to the inclusion of MNS in the mega-alliance, the same would create problems for the party instead of helping it, said Mr Nirupam.

Congress had taken the lead in the formation of the anti-BJP mega-alliance across the state for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. But the “Marathi” agenda of the MNS will not be acceptable to the Congress, said a senior leader of the party. Besides, the MNS indulged in violence and did not obey laws.

The Congress cannot accept these things, cleared Mr Nirupam. Raj Thackeray had a talk with NCP president Sharad Pawar. Although the NCP is very keen on the inclusion of MNS in the alliance, the Congress would never agree to this proposal, a senior leader said. Talks about an alliance between the two Congresses have remained inconclusive.