In a first step of disciplinary action taken on Wednesday, the state Congress has dropped its disgruntled leader Sanjay Nirupam from the list of star campaigners before sending a proposal to the high command for expelling the ex-MP from the party. State Congress chief Nana Patole said, “Disciplinary action will be taken against him (Nirupam).”

Nirupam had criticised the Congress high command after a Lok Sabha constituency he was interested in was taken by Shiv Sena (UBT). He had used harsh language while slamming his own party leaders and the alliance partner at a press conference and a special programme on a private news channel. He had asked the party to amend seat-sharing in a week`s time and scrap the candidacy of Amol Kirtikar, who was named for Mumbai North-West constituency by his party boss Uddhav Thackeray. He had threatened to quit if his demand was not met.