Sanjay Nirupam-s absence from the launch of the Congress Manifesto at Worli on Thursday has raised eyebrows. While the plan was to have all five candidates of the party on one forum, it could not materialise, since he ditched at the last minute. However, Nirupam claims that it was to prepare for the youth manifesto and due to his regular campaigning that he could not attend the event, and this was conveyed to the party-s office bearers.

The friction between the party leaders has been seen repeatedly over the years, when earlier Milind Deora and Priya Dutt went missing from activities and events organised by Nirupam. He seems to be continuing with the tradition.