Faced with a barrage of criticism from his predecessor Sanjay Nirupam, former Mumbai Congress president Milind Deora turned the other cheek on Monday. ‘Unpleasant and unwarranted commentary’, he said, should be ignored. “A party and its ideals are bigger than an individual. Some unpleasant and unwarranted commentary from certain quarters should be ignored,” said Mr. Deora in a statement issued on Monday evening.
Unpleasant scenes have accompanied Mr. Deora’s appointment as well as departure, with Mr. Nirupam criticising him over his idea to appoint a three-member committee to run the Mumbai Congress till the Assembly elections. “The idea to appoint a three-member committee to run Mumbai Congress in place of (a party) president is not at all appropriate. It will ruin the party further,” tweeted Mr Nirupam.
He ridiculed Mr. Deora over his hints at undertaking an important responsibility at the national level. “Resignation (usually) comes with sacrifice. But here, a national-level position is being demanded. Is this a resignation or a ladder to climb? The party should be wary of such ‘devoted’ leaders,” he said.
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Mr. Deora, however, said he was humbled by the affection and support he received after his resignation, and asked party workers to keep up the good work. The Congress’s vote share in Mumbai rose by 5%, he said. It was proved in the Lok Sabha elections that party workers can work unitedly for all Mumbaikars and earnestly pursue their support to build an inclusive Mumbai, he said. “We have re-established Mumbai Congress as a party for all Mumbaikars and this is a great beginning to build on,” said the statement.