Milind Deora, who quit Congress, to join Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena today
Senior leader Milind Deora resigned from the Congress party today after days of rumours that he would be joining the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
“I have tendered my resignation from the primary membership of Congress, ending my family’s 55-year relationship with the party,” he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
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…
— Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा ☮️ (@milinddeora) January 14, 2024
“I am grateful to all leaders, colleagues & karyakartas for their unwavering support over the years,” he added.
Mr 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.
He had recently expressed displeasure over the Uddhav Thackeray faction winning the Mumbai South seat. The Uddhav Thackeray-led group, Shiv Sena (UBT) is a part of the opposition alliance.
In a video statement issued last Sunday, Mr Deora said that if such statements by an “alliance partner” don’t stop, his party too can announce candidates for seats.
He took the decision to resign from Congress after discussions with his supporters.