Rahul Gandhi will be addressing a meeting of party workers in Malad and later he will inaugurate the Murli Deora Hall in South Mumbai. (File photo)
The issue of alleged factionalism within the Mumbai unit of Congress is again in focus as party vice-president Rahul Gandhi begins his two-day visit to the city today.
There were noisy scenes at a party meeting two days ago to discuss the programs during Mr Gandhi's visit with slogan-shouting by rival factions who wanted to ensure that the route of party vice-president's rally covered specific areas.
Some media reports claimed party legislators Naseem Khan and Aslam Shaikh came to blows, though both the leaders denied it.
Before that, the Congress high command had sought an explanation from Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam over two articles in a party journal criticising Jawaharlal Nehru and terming Sonia Gandhi's father a "fascist soldier".
The disciplinary action committee of AICC headed by senior leader AK Antony also issued a show-cause notice to Mr Nirupam.
Those close to Mr Nirupam alleged that his rivals in Mumbai Congress leaked the information about the articles to the media.
Mr Gandhi will be addressing a meeting of party workers in Malad and later he will inaugurate the Murli Deora Hall at the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee office in South Mumbai.
On January 16, he will interact with students of a management institute in suburban Vile Parle and later participate in padyatra from Bandra Bandstand to Dharavi slum.