A day after resigning from Congress and officially joining the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, former Union minister Milind Deora justified his step, alleging that the grand old party has strayed from its ideological and organisational roots, promoting ‘caste divisions’ and targeting business houses.
Deora said that he aspires to collaborate with a leader who values constructive ideas, and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has acknowledged his potential. “Eknath Shinde ji believes in my potential and embodies the belief that hard work can achieve the impossible,” he stated.
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Later, in his post on X, he listed all reasons behind his decision to quit Congress. Deora said that as a valued voter, supporter, and well-wisher, it is essential for him to explain his stance on quitting his years-old association with the Congress and aligning himself under Eknath Shinde’s leadership.
Despite being sidelined, Deora explained how he showed his unwavering commitment to maintaining a lasting relationship with his family, the Gandhi family, and the party. Over the past decade, he worked tirelessly for the party in various roles without seeking personal position or power.
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Without explicitly mentioning names, Deora took a jab at Congress for its robust condemnation of the Adani Group over the past few years.”The party that once initiated the country’s economic liberalisation now targets business houses as ‘anti-national.’ It has strayed from celebrating the country’s diverse cultures and religions, fostering a division based on caste and creating a North-South divide. It has deviated from its ideological and organisational roots,” he said.
Deora further said the Congress has not only failed to come back to power but has also failed to effectively serve as a constructive opposition at the Centre.
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“Today, we witness a chaiwala rising to become the Prime Minister of the world’s largest democracy and an autorickshaw driver serving as the chief minister of India’s second-largest state. This transformation enriches the country’s political landscape, affirming our egalitarian values,” Deora added.
The son of the late Congress veteran Murli Deora, Milind has been discontent since the Congress’ ally Shiv Sena (UBT) claimed the Mumbai South parliamentary constituency for the upcoming elections.
Resigning from the primary membership of the Congress on Sunday morning, he put an end to his family’s “55-year-old association” with the party. Later that day, he joined the Shiv Sena at the official residence of Shinde.
Milind Deora, who represented Mumbai South in the Lok Sabha in 2004 and 2009, faced defeats in 2014 and 2019 to Arvind Sawant, who contested as a Shiv Sena (undivided) candidate on both occasions.