india

Updated: Mar 26, 2019 07:53 IST

The Congress on Monday appointed former Union minister Milind Deora as the president of its Mumbai unit, replacing former parliamentarian Sanjay Nirupam.

“Congress president Rahul Gandhi appointed Milind Deora as the new president of Mumbai Regional Congress Committee,” a Congress statement said. “The party appreciates the contribution of outgoing president Sanjay Nirupam,” it added.

“Grateful to Sonia Gandhi ji and @RahulGandhi for giving me the opportunity to lead @INCMumbai. I commit myself to strengthening the party’s roots in the city where it was born. I look forward to working with all party leaders and thank @sanjaynirupam for his years of service,” 42-year-old Deora tweeted after his appointment.

The Congress fielded Nirupam from North West Mumbai as it released two more lists of candidates Monday.

According to sources in the party, this was in the offing for “at least four months”. “There were complaints made about Nirupam’s style of functioning before Congress president Rahul Gandhi and also general secretary Mallikarjun Kharge. The matter was very much under consideration,” a source said.

“For last 15 yrs I have been longing to represent the people of North West Mumbai. With the blessings of Congress President @RahulGandhi I have got this opportunity to represent you in #LokSabhaElections2019 Do bless me. Its my promise I will never let you down,” Nirupam, 54, tweeted. In another tweet, he congratulated Deora, tweeting: “Congratulations to @milinddeora for becoming new president of MRCC. My best wishes to him. We will work together as a team.”

(with inputs from PTI)