MUMBAI: Milind Deora, a Congress leader and former Union minister, announced on Sunday on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that he has resigned from the primary membership of the party. This decision marks a significant chapter in his political journey, ending his family's 55-year relationship with the Congress. Deora expressed his gratitude to all the leaders, colleagues, and karyakartas for their unwavering support throughout the years.
Interestingly, Milind Deora's resignation comes on the day when former Congress party president Rahul Gandhi is embarking on his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Manipur. The Yatra ill traverse through 100 Lok Sabha constituencies across 15 states.
Milind Deora, along with Sachin Pilot, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Jitin Prasada and some other leaders were reported to be among close friends of Rahul Gandhi during the UPA government.
Reacting to Deora's resignation from the party, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "timing of announcement of his departure from party clearly determined by PM Modi."
Milind is the son of the late Murli Deora, a prominent figure in the Congress party.
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole called Deora's departure as a tactic by the Bharatiya Janata Party to distract from the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra'. He also referred to Deora as a "twice defeated candidate".
Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad on Sunday said it was unfortunate colleague and former Union minister Milind Deora had quit the party on the day when the Rahul Gandhi-led 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' commences from strife-torn Manipur.
There has been speculation in political circles that Deora is likely to join the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde. This speculation arises from Deora's disapproval of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena's claim to the South Mumbai Lok Sabha seat. In the past, Deora was appointed as the joint treasurer of the All India Congress Committee.
Deora faced defeat in the 2014 and 2019 general elections when Arvind Sawant, who was then a member of the undivided Shiv Sena and is now with the Thackeray faction, contested against him for the South Mumbai Lok Sabha seat.
No compromise on South Mumbai LS seat, says Sanjay Raut
Meanwhile, reacting to Deora's resignation from Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said there would be no compromise on the South Mumbai Lok Sabha seat.
"Sawant is a two-time MP. What is wrong with him contesting again? There will be no compromise on this," Raut asserted.
Queried on Deora quitting the Congress, Raut said, "We knew Murli Deora well and what it is to work for the party and sacrifice for it. If people change localities to contest elections, it shows a new trend has started in the state."
(With inputs from agencies)
