Mumbai (Maharashtra): In a big jolt to Congress, Milind Deora, son of former Union Minister late Murli Deora snapped his ties with the grand old party and joined the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at Varsha, the official residence of Maharashtra Chief Minister in south Mumbai.
Deora announced via X, formerly known as Twitter, announced his decision to leave Congress. Deora has been a former Union Minister and his family was considered very close to the Gandhi family.
Milind Deora, a strongman from south Mumbai, who father was an influential figure, joined Shiv Sena in the presence of his supporters like Prashant Jhaveri. Deora's joining will only strengthen the Shiv Sena ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Deora served as the Minister of State for Communications and IT from 2012-14. He was Lok Sabha member from Mumbai South constituency.
"I greet you for Makar Sankranti. Today is a emotional day for me. I am very emotional, I never thought I will leave the Congress. But today I am snapping the 55 year old ties with Congress under the leadership of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. My politics has been development oriented and I am proud to say that Eknath Shinde, who is hardworking and accessible to all and so I want to strengthen his hands," he added.
Deora recalled close association of his father Milind Deora with Shiv Sena founded by late Balasaheb Thackeray.
Eknath Shinde on his part said "When I decided to support BJP, I took advice from wife," he added.
Welcoming Milind Deora into Shiv Sena with his wife, Shinde quipped, "There is a similarity between us. Some people live for the society, country. Among them were Balasaheb Thackeray and Murli saheb (late Murli Deora).'
"Today a hard-working leader has joined the Shiv Sena," added Shinde. Earlier in the day, he offered prayers with his wife at the famed Siddhivinayak temple in Prabhadevi. "I have chosen to the path of development," Milind Deora had said in his first remarks after announcing his decision.
Following Milind Deora's resignation from the Congress party, the party's general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi played a role in his departure.
"The Prime Minister has decided this; there is no doubt about it," the Congress MP said while speaking on Deora's resignation.
Further, Ramesh remembered Deora's father and veteran Congress leader, Murli Deora, and said that the latter stood by the party through thick and thin. "He was a strong leader of our party and maintained good relations with all parties and party workers. He was a stalwart Congressman and stood by Congress through thick and thin. I remember him today," the Congress MP said.
Mumbai Regional Congress Committee president Varsha Eknath Gaikwad called Deora's decision unfortunate and said, "It is unfortunate that you have taken this decision, @milinddeora ji. On a personal level and as a Congress karyakarta, I feel sad today. The Deora family has had a long & storied association with the Congress Parivar. All of us were trying to convince you against taking this step. The party leadership also reached out to you," Gaikward said in a post on X.
"It is also regrettable that your announcement comes on a day when the party embarks on the historic #BharatJodoNyayYatra," she added.
Congress leader Manickam Tagore shared a picture quote saying, "Some people are willing to betray years of friendship just to get a little bit of the spotlight," while reposting Deora's post confirming his resignation.
Congress leader Ajay Yadav criticized Deora over his resignation on the day the party is going to start 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra'.
"The timing of leaving the party is not right. Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is starting today and Milind Deora should not have left the party on this day itself," Ajay Yadav said. Deora tendered resignation from the party's primary membership earlier in the day.
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