Mumbai, February 5: The infighting in Mumbai unit of the Congress is now out in the open with Milind Deora blaming city's party chief Sanjay Nirupam for the ongoing feud. In a series of tweets on Tuesday, Milind Deora expressed disappointment over divisions within the Congress, adding that he has faith in the central leadership of the party. Deora also said Nirupam’s leadership had failed party members.

"I'm disappointed with what is happening - and the party is aware of my stance on fighting the Lok Sabha elections. However, I have full faith in our central leadership and its commitment to our party's ideology and principles. Especially in Mumbai, where the Congress was born," Deora, former MP from Mumbai South, tweeted. However, the Congress later clarified that there was no infighting. Bombay HC Dismisses Sanjay Nirupam’s Plea Against BJP MP Gopal Shetty Challenging His Victory in 2014 Lok Sabha Election.

"I would like to request Sanjay (Nirupam) ji and other leaders, that we all must put aside political differences and work in unison. I would say that in any organisation, there will be differences of opinions. There is no infighting," he told news agency ANI. Earlier today, speaking to a news channel, Deora said: “It is no secret that there are problems in the party."

Deora and Priya Dutt, who recently announced that she would not contest the 2019 Lok Sabha election, have been at loggerheads with Nirupam, who quit Shiv Sena to join the Congress in 2005 and perceived by many in the party as an "outsider". Deora, whose father Murli Deora led the Mumbai Congress for over a decade, was ignored and Nirupam was was appointed Mumbai Congress chief in 2015.

According to reports, Nirupam is adamant on contesting from Mumbai West and not Mumbai North. Deora is said to have objected to the demand.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 05, 2019 10:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).