Nirupam to join Congress

The stage is set for the entry of former Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Nirupam into the Congress fold.

A high power Congress committee, led by senior leader Motilal Vora, is likely to take a final decision on this issue in a day or two.

The committee also consists of senior leaders Ambika Soni, Ahmed Patel and others, party sources said.

"Once the meeting endorses Nirupam's entry, a formal announcement will be made in Delhi," a senior functionary told PTI in New Delhi.

The committee is understood to have discussed the issue with general secretary and in charge of Maharashtra's party affairs Margaret Alva and the office-bearers of Mumbai Pradesh Congress Committee.

Nirupam, who parted ways with the Shiv Sena recently, is likely to be inducted into the Congress by this weekend, although he may not be nominated as party candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat, which fell vacant following his resignation, the sources said.

Elections to the Rajya Sabha seat is slated to take place on April 20.