Aslam Shaikh admits to infighting within Congress's Mumbai unit

A day after he was involved in a scuffle of sorts with fellow legislator Naseem Khan over Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's visit to the city, Congress legislator Aslam Shaikh admitted to infighting within the city Congress unit.

Shaikh, a two-time legislator from Malad, told dna that such infighting and factionalism would hurt the party badly in the days to come, especially ahead of the crucial BMC polls that are scheduled for February 2017. Shaikh also pointed out that 'electoral merit' should be given preference over factional loyalties.

"Infighting should be quelled and brought to an end. Unless this is done, it will send a negative message to the cadre. It will hurt the party ahead of the BMC elections. The party will have to put up a united front. If that doesn't happen, there is no way we will be able to take on the Shiv Sena and BJP," Shaikh told dna.

Shaikh, who is known to be a firebrand leader is the Congress's lone legislator from the western suburbs. "Why should party's top leaders always go to South and Central Mumbai? We wanted Rahulji to visit Malad and Malvani too. We succeeded in that. Tuesday's incident was not a result of any infighting. Some leaders did not want this to happen and tried to scuttle our request. I'm sure Rahulji's visit will be a grand success," Shaikh added.

Shaikh is credited with reviving the party in the BMC. Soon after former MP Sanjay Nirpuam took over the city Congress, Shaikh was given the charge of the BMC. Known to be aggressive and vocal about city issues, Shaikh has led the charge on several scams in the BMC.

According to party leaders, Tuesday's clash mainly involved Chandivli legislator Khan, who owes allegiance to leader Gurudas Kamat, and Shaikh, a Nirupam supporter. A war of words between the two snowballed into fisticuffs and the warring leaders had to be physically separated by other leaders.

"Only electoral merit should count and nothing else. Merit should be given preference over any kind of factionalism or loyalty to local leaders. Only those who can win polls should be promoted, only then will we be able to oust the Shiv Sena-BJP from BMC," Shaikh added.

Leaders pointed out that the clash was triggered after Shaikh taunted Khan saying he was incapable of getting even a corporator elected.

"Rahuji's visit will be a great boost for the party. We will put our differences behind us and fight together," Shaikh added.

Rahul will be in the city on January 15 and 16.