Rahul’s mid-life crisis
now, when it was clear that the Congress, an ally of the Shiv Sena (UBT), will not give him the ticket to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha election from South Mumbai, he decided to quit the party. He approached the BJP, which gave him the cold shoulder. Hence, he joined the Shiv Sena (Shinde) after being promised a seat in the Rajya Sabha,’’ a senior Congress leader told the FPJ on condition of anonymity.
The city Congress is assessing the damage Deora’s defection will cause the organisation. However, it is felt that the impact would be confined only to south Mumbai. Deora, like his famed father who was known for his networking, is wellconnected with India Inc and is expected to utilise his connections to help CM Shinde in raising resources for the Shiv Sena (Shinde).
The Congress rank and file suspect that Deora had decided to jump parties on the same day that Rahul Gandhi was embarking on his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Manipur, just to embarrass the latter.
There were discussions in the media and political circles that Deora would join the Shiv Sena. All speculation was quelled by Deora himself, who posted on X, ‘‘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.
Before joining the Shiv Sena, he offered prayers at the Siddhi Vinayak temple, with his wife Pooja. He was escorted by MLA Sada Sarvankar, who is the chairman of the temple trust. Later, he made a floral offering to the statue of the late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, near Regal Cinema Circle.
He joined the Shinde faction along with 10 former corporators of the Congress and office-bearers of several front organisations of the party.
Deora said, ‘‘I never thought I would leave the Congress. It was a very difficult decision. I am breaking my family’s 55 year-relationship with the Congress.’’
While criticising the Congress leadership, Deora said, ‘‘My father had joined the Congress in 1968 and I had joined in 2004. There is a huge difference in the thinking of the Congress leadership then and now. In the 90s, when the Indian economy was in trouble, Manmohan Singhji, with the help of businessmen, took the country ahead but the current leadership is insulting the business community.’’
‘‘Today’s Congress leadership only criticises PM Modi,’’ he added.
Further, he said, ‘‘I want to strengthen the
hands of PM Modi and Eknath Shinde for the development of the country and state.’’
Senior NCP (Ajit Pawar) leader and former civil aviation minister Praful Patel tweeted in support of Milind Deora, saying, ‘‘Well done, Shri Milind Deora. Let us work together to support the vision of our honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji. Best wishes for your successful new innings ahead.’’