close_game
close_game

Sunil Dutt trounces Nirupam

PTI | By, Mumbai
May 14, 2004 06:05 PM IST

In the months leading to the LS polls, Dutt's rival, Sena candidate Sanjay Nirupam, ran a bitter campaign against Dutt, that broke all barriers of decency.

Sunil Dutt has never lost an election. But the fifth straight victory from Mumbai North West on Thursday was perhaps his sweetest. In the months leading to the Lok Sabha polls, Dutt's rival, Shiv Sena candidate Sanjay Nirupam, ran a bitter campaign against him that broke all barriers of decency.

HT Image
HT Image

Dutt, however, chose to ignore the provocation: "Well, he (Nirupam) has not even spared the Prime Minister (A.B. Vajpayee). He said very nasty things about Vajpayee in the past."

Nirupam's campaign against Dutt has often been in very poor taste: "Sunil Dutt is an old man. He may not have much longer to live, he keeps very unwell. So he should retire."

At 74, Dutt is far younger than Vajpayee and even Nirupam's leader Bal Thackeray, who is 78. His (Dutt's) illnesses were caused by two major accidents that he survived. These accidents were responsible for Dutt's poor attendance in Parliament in the last term. But even then Dutt attended the House 99 times. According to Nirupam though, Dutt attended the house only thrice in the last five years.

"He (Nirupam) spoke half-truths," Dutt said. During the campaign Dutt didn’t hit out at Nirupam. Instead, he filed a defamation suit against the Sena leader.

Get Current Updates on India News, Weather Today, Latest News, Delhi Election 2025 and Delhi Exit Poll 2025 Live at Hindustan Times.
See More
Get Current Updates on India News, Weather Today, Latest News, Delhi Election 2025 and Delhi Exit Poll 2025 Live at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, February 07, 2025
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On