On his official X account, Milind Deora stated on January 14 why he severed his 55-year-long affiliation and resigned from the Congress party to join Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena earlier in the day.
The former Congress leader emphasised in his letter that neither he nor his father, who joined the grand old party in 1968 and 2004, respectively, were in line with the party’s historical ideals.
In his letter, Deora sharply criticised the Congress party’s current leadership, pointing out that the party is dividing people along caste lines and fostering an artificial gap between the North and the South.
“The party that once spearheaded India’s economic liberalisation now attacks business houses as ‘anti-national,'” the letter reads. It has veered away from promoting caste-based division, dividing India along regional lines, and honouring the country’s rich cultural diversity.
Milind Deora claimed earlier in the day that Congress’s primary purpose is to oppose Modi. He stated that the Congress would not agree with Modi’s claim that the party is excellent.
Former UPA Minister Deora went on to say that Congress no longer values integrity and constructive criticism since it has strayed from its organisational and ideological foundations. In addition, he said, the Congress party has not only failed to seize power but also to function as a viable center-of-right opposition.
He mentioned the party’s defeats in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections in the letter, and he accepted responsibility for the latter’s outcome. He also tendered his resignation as the party’s Mumbai President, even though he had only taken on the position a month prior to the dates’ announcement.
“Even though I was appointed barely one month before the polling date, I readily resigned as President of the Mumbai Congress, taking accountability for the party’s defeat in the 2019 election,” he writes in his letter. I believed I had every right to ask for accountability if I could accept it.
I was against the alliance with UBT when the Maharashtra MVA was formed in 2019 because I thought it would hurt the Congress. Over four years, I repeatedly pushed for prudence, even while UBT and Congress prioritised personal rewards over philosophy.
Even though I was sidelined, I never wavered in my determination to preserve the long-standing bond between my family and the Gandhi family as well as the party. I diligently performed a variety of tasks for the party for ten years without looking for a position of authority or personal gain.
After 20 years in politics, he declared, Mumbai is his karmabhoomi and India his matrubhoomi, and he will endeavour to work for the betterment of Mumbai, Maharashtra, and India.
The letter goes on, “It leads to a significant political decision because I believe that the welfare of Mumbai’s citizens transcends political affiliations.” As I have done throughout my political career, I hope to use my years of productive experience, administrative know-how, and political acumen to assist everyone, regardless of their religion, caste, or economic situation.
Referencing the modest upbringings of Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde, Milind Deora underscored that this kind of change enhances India’s political terrain and validates our principles of equality.
The letter goes on, “We see today the ascent of an autorickshaw driver to the position of Chief Minister of India’s second-biggest state, and the ascent of a humble chaiwala to the position of Prime Minister in the largest democracy in the world. This development strengthens India’s political environment and upholds our egalitarian principles. Eknath Shinde Ji stands out as one of the most hardworking and accessible Chief Ministers in the country. It is admirable that he is aware of the poorer segments of Maharashtra and works tirelessly to enhance infrastructure and governance.
Praying for the leadership of Chief Minister Shinde, he highlighted the advancements and changes that the state and Mumbai have seen, including the prompt completion and efficient management of important infrastructure projects like MTHL, Coastal Road, Mumbai Metro, and NMIA, which have promoted long-term growth and development.
“I want to help Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) in his attempts because I share his vision for a flourishing future for Mumbai and Maharashtra. In a similar vein, I am motivated to contribute to the national vision of India by the visionary outlooks of Amit Shah Ji and Narendra Modi Ji,” the letter continued.
“I commit to representing Mumbaikars and all Indians, advocating for inclusive and development-oriented politics,” he continued, drawing inspiration from Babasaheb Thackeray’s history and Eknath Shinde Ji’s Shiv Sena.
While some Congressmen acknowledged that his exit was a blow to the party, others made fun of him and said they would raise thousands of Milind Deoras.