There seems to be a whiff of sabotage in the own-goal that the Congress recently scored in a party-backed journal, Congress Darshan.

The article in the journal - published from Maharashtra and edited by the party’s Mumbai chief Sanjay Nirupam - criticised many of Jawaharlal Nehru’s decisions and alleged that Sonia Gandhi’s father had fascist sympathies.

An AICC source, requesting anonymity, said there was a strong possibility of a rival within the state party unit trying to show Nirupam in a poor light.

The article criticised many of Jawaharlal Nehru (left)'s decisions, and alleged that Sonia Gandhi (right)'s father had fascist sympathies

“The article appeared in December first week. Why did it surface now, a day before the Congress Foundation Day?” he asked.

“Also, the publication is circulated only within the party.”

The content editor of the magazine and Sudhir Joshi, the man who supposedly wrote the piece, has been fired.

Nirupam told Mail Today: “It was a mistake on our part. I take responsibility for it. It will never be repeated. Action has been taken.”

Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam has taken responsibility for the blunder

The embarrassment for the Congress came on a day party chief Sonia Gandhi, vice-president Rahul Gandhi, and former prime minister Manmohan Singh hoisted the party flag at AICC headquarters to mark its 131st foundation day.

The write-up allegedly criticised India’s first PM Jawaharlal Nehru over his Kashmir policy. Talking about Sonia’s life before her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi, the article mentioned that her father was a member of the fascist forces in Italy.

The piece further said that she became Congress president 62 days after joining the party as a primary member in 1997, and also made a failed attempt to form the government.

Another article in the magazine reportedly criticised Nehru for his Kashmir policy and attempted to suggest that the leader should have taken the advice of then home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on the issue.

The article also cited a letter that Patel reportedly wrote in 1950 to caution Nehru against China's policy on Tibet. A red-faced Congress distanced itself from the controversy.

“We have nothing to do with this publication. It was a defunct magazine that was trying to revive itself. That is not our mouthpiece. We have nothing to do with this publication. This magazine has not been associated with Congress,” Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan said.

Tom further said the AICC appointed Nirupam as MRCC chief and not the editor of any magazine.

Nirupam, who left Shiv Sena to join Congress, has been an influential politician in the Maharashtra Congress and was made chief of the Mumbai Congress in March this year to revive the party in India’s financial capital.

MRCC is a separate entity apart from the Maharashtra Congress, which is headed by former CM Ashok Chavan.

However the controversy provided an opportunity to Nirupam’s rivals who demanded his removal for the gaffe.

“MRCC chief has explained his position and the party is seized of the matter. There is nothing to add to this,” Chavan told Mail Today.