Former Union Minister Milind Deora has resigned from the Congress party and joined the Shiv Sena, which is run by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
“I have tendered my resignation from the primary membership of Congress, thus ending my family’s 55-year relationship with the party,” he said in a post on X (previously Twitter). “I am grateful to all leaders, colleagues & karyakartas for their unwavering support over the years,” he said in a statement.
Today marks the conclusion of a significant chapter in my political journey. I have tendered my resignation from the primary membership of @INCIndia, ending my family’s 55-year relationship with the party.
— Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा ☮️ (@milinddeora) January 14, 2024
I am grateful to all leaders, colleagues & karyakartas for their…
Speaking to reporters at his Mumbai home, Milind Deora said that he quit Congress to walk on the “path of development”.
“I am going walking on the path of development,” Mr Deora said as he stepped out of his house with wife Pooja to visit Siddhivinayak Temple in Prabhadevi to offer prayers.
The Mumbai South seat was won by Mr. Deora in 2004 and 2009. His father, Murli Deora, is a veteran of the Congress. He finished as the first runner-up in the succeeding elections in 2014 and 2019 to Shiv Sena (undivided) leader Arvind Sawant.
He recently voiced his displeasure with the Uddhav Thackeray group winning the Mumbai South seat. The opposition alliance includes the Shiv Sena (UBT), which is led by Uddhav Thackeray.
“Today is a very exciting day for me. I never thought that I would leave the Congress. But today my family’s 55-year long relationship with Congress has been broken,” Mr Deora told reporters after joining the Shiv Sena today.
“You all know my politics have been progressive and secular. Everyone knows that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde works among public. I have to strengthen his hand,” he added.
Mr Deora stated in a video message broadcast last Sunday that if a “alliance partner” continues to make similar claims, his party will be able to declare candidates for seats as well.
He decided to retire from Congress following consultations with his supporters.
In response to Milind Deora’s departure from the party, Congress national secretary recalled his father, Murli Deora, who had friends in various political parties but always supported the party.
“I recall my long years of association with Murli Deora with great fondness. He had close friends in all political parties, but was a stalwart Congressman who always stood by the Congress party — through thick and thin. Tathastu!” he wrote on X.
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Source: NDTV
