Milind Deora resigns from Congress, to join Eknath Shinde-led Sena faction, BJP takes ‘Nyay’ jibe

Senior Maharashtra leader Milind Deora on Sunday announced his resignation from the primary membership of the Congress, ending his family’s 55-year relationship with the party. Taking to the X, the former Union Minister confirmed about ending ties with the grand old party.  

‘Ending my family’s 55-year relationship with the party’

“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. I am grateful to all leaders, colleagues & karyakartas for their unwavering support over the years,” he said.

Deora, son of Congress veteran Murli Deora, had won the Mumbai South seat in 2004 and 2009. He ended up as the first runner-up in the subsequent elections in 2014 and 2019 against Shiv Sena (Undivided) leader Arvind Sawant.

Deora to join Shiv Sena Eknath Shinde faction

As per the sources, Deora will join the Shinde faction today at around 2 pm.

Reacting to Deora’s resignation, Congres leader Jairam Ramesh recalled the long years of association with his father Murli Deora and said that he was a stalwart Congressman who always stood by the Congress party — through thick and thin. “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!” Jairam Ramesh said in X post. 

He further said that the timing of the announcement of his departure from the party clearly determined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

BJP takes jibe at Rahul Gandhi 

Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and the party’s IT Cell head Amit Malviya reacted to Deora’s resignation.  Taking a jibe at Rahul Gandhi‘s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Malviya said that the Congress leader should first do ‘Nyay’ (justice) to his party leaders. 

“Rahul Gandhi should first do justice to his party leaders. Justice journey later,” the BJP leader in an X post.

Milind Deora dismisses speculation about joining Shiv Sena led by Shinde

Earlier on Saturday, the former Congress leader Deora had dismissed the speculation that he was on his way out and would join the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He said that these are just  “rumours”.

Deora, who has openly expressed his dissatisfaction with the Shiv Sena (led by Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) asserting its claim to the Mumbai South Lok Sabha constituency, stated to reporters that he is currently engaged in discussions with his supporters. “I am listening to my supporters…Haven’t taken a decision yet,” the former Mumbai South MP said when asked if he was chalking out a plan with his supporters.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led group had staked a claim to contest the Mumbai South constituency, represented by Mr Deora before 2014, in the upcoming general elections, which has not gone down well with the Congress leader.