Nirupam slams Sanjay, Samajwadis

The Congress party has locked horns with the Samajwadi Party after Bollywood star-turned-politician Sanjay Dutt blamed Sanjay Nirupam’s entry into the Congress for his father’s death. The late Sunil Dutt was the Congress party’s Member of Parliament from Mumbai North West for five terms and a minister at the time of his death in May 2005.

Congress leaders in Mumbai and New Delhi have dismissed Sanjay’s remarks, blaming it on his “bad company” (read Amar Singh). Dutt was tried and sentenced under being convicted under the Terrorist and Disruptive Act (Tada) for possessing illegal weapons after the 1993 blasts in Mumbai. The sentence was later suspended. He had applied to the Supreme Court for permission to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow as a Samajwadi Party candidate, which was turned down.

Within 12 hours of the court rejection, Sanjay and SP general secretary Amar Singh stated that the Congress allowing Nirupam into the party had deeply distressed Sunil Dutt, who was a heart patient. Before joining the Congress, Nirupam was in the Shiv Sena and would vociferously attack Sunil and Sanjay Dutt, calling the latter anti-national.

Reacting to the charge, Nirupam said, “If Sunil Dutt had weak heart, he would have collapsed when his son brought shame to the family and country. Sanjay is being fed by an SP leader (Amar Singh) who is famous for breaking families.”

Congress secretary Mohan Prakash said Sunil Dutt was in the Congress when Sanjay Nirupam joined the party. “It is pointless to make an issue now. Sanjay Dutt’s outburst is an influence of his new associate.”

Sanjay Dutt’s remarks have apparently stunned his sister Priya Dutt, the Congress candidate from Mumbai North Central, though she is refusing to make any comments. But a close aide said, “Such developments coming ahead of the elections does not auger well for her or party.”

Nirupam, who is the Congress candidate from Mumbai North, claimed Sunil Dutt was shamed by his son. “Sanjay was found possessing illegal weapons and sent to jail. The late Dutt saheb was forced to visit Matoshree (the residence of Bal Thackeray) to seek redress for Sanjay.

“I have contested against Sunil Dutt as an opponent. But I always respected the legendary actor, leader and human being,” said Nirupam, adding, I have personally witnessed the agony of Sunil Dutt when he would visit Thackeray and sit for hours seeking help for his irresponsible son.”