Milind Deora ended his family’s 55-year association with the Congress on Sunday by announcing his retirement as a main member.
“A major chapter in my political life comes to an end today. The 55-year association between my family and the party comes to an end today as I have tendered my resignation from the primary membership of Congress’, Milind Deora, the son of Congress veteran Murli Deora, posted on social network X.
Deora continued, “I am appreciative of all leaders, colleagues, and karyakartas for their steadfast support over the years.”
The former Union minister’s resignation coincides with rumours that he may join the Shiv Sena, which is run by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Deora, nevertheless, called the rumours and denied the conjecture on Saturday.
Deora told reporters that he was in talks with his followers following his recent public outburst on the Shiv Sena (UBT) claiming a claim to the Mumbai South Lok Sabha constituency.
“I’m paying attention to my fans.”I haven’t made a decision yet,” the former Mumbai South MP replied when asked if he and his followers were formulating a strategy.
In response to a question about allegations circulating in certain media outlets that Deora was leaving the Congress to join the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, he stated that these were rumours.
The Congress politician did not appear to be pleased with the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction’s claim to run in the forthcoming general elections for the Mumbai South constituency, which Deora had represented from 2013 to 2014.
Deora stated in a video message released on Sunday that his party would also be able to declare candidates for seats if the “alliance partner” continued to make such claims.
In the Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra, the Congress and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) have the Shiv Sena (UBT) as an alliance partner. Deora had stated that no one should launch accusations and counterclaims as the formal negotiations about seat sharing were still ongoing.
Deora, who was elected to the Mumbai South constituency in 2004 and 2009, is the son of longtime Congressman Murli Deora. In the ensuing elections in 2014 and 2019, he lost to Arvind Sawant, the leader of Shiv Sena (Undivided), and came in as the first runner-up. According to Deora, there was no “wave” that led to his family’s 50-year representation of the seat.