Ending my family's 55-year relationship: Milind Deora resigns from Congress
In a blow to the Congress ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Congress leader Milind Deora announced his resignation from the primary membership of the grand old party on Sunday. "Today marks the conclusion of a significant chapter in my political journey. I have tendered my resignation from the primary membership of Congress, ending my family's 55-year relationship with the party," he tweeted.
Check out Deora's tweet here
Deora to join Shinde-led Shiv Sena
Ex-Mumbai Congress chief Deora might join Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, per ANI. Ten former municipal corporators, 25 senior party functionaries, 20 top trader and merchant unions, and 400 Congress workers will also join the Sena later on Sunday at the CM's residence. Earlier, Deora dismissed speculations of him joining the party, saying, "I'm listening to my supporters...haven't taken a decision yet."
Tehseen Poonawalla's earlier post speculating Deora's exit
Ahead of Deora's announcement, political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla had hinted at the Congress leader's exit on Saturday. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Poonawalla said he was "totally heartbroken" and he "tried and spoke to everyone that mattered." "Imagine our people are leaving, the final nail being the clown and his statements that instead of building bridges, is destroying your own organization," he added.
Deora's political career
Son of veteran Congress leader Murli Deora, the 47-year-old has had an illustrious political career so far. He won the Mumbai South Lok Sabha seat in 2004 and 2009 and was also the first runner-up in 2014 and 2019 against Sena (undivided) leader Arvind Sawant. Deora also stated his family had represented the constituency for 50 years and was not elected on any "wave."
Congress's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra kicks off today
Deora's exit also came on the day Congress leader Rahul Gandhi began the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Thoubal district in Manipur on Sunday ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. In the next 67 days, this yatra will reportedly cover 337 assembly segments, 110 districts, and 100 Lok Sabha seats across 15 states before concluding on March 20 or 21 in Maharashtra's Mumbai.
