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“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. I am grateful to all leaders, colleagues & karyakartas for their unwavering support over the years.”
With these phrases, former MP and Union Minister Milind Deora give up the Congress on Sunday (14 January) and inside hours joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. After becoming a member of the social gathering in Shinde’s presence, Deora instructed reporters in Mumbai, “This is a very emotional day for me. I had never thought that I would quit Congress. Today, I joined Shiv Sena.”
The transfer got here as Rahul Gandhi started his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Manipur. Many ballot pundits had been fast to notice that with this exit, the younger dynasts — typically referred to as ‘Rahul’s Babalog’ — have left the social gathering. Jitin Prasada, Jyotiraditya Scindia and RPN Singh have switched loyalties to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Sachin Pilot’s the just one left, nevertheless, his ties with the social gathering’s high brass is something however clean at the second.
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But why did Deora, who had a relationship with the Congress — his father, Murli Deora was additionally a Congressman — give up the social gathering? And extra importantly, how does his choice impression the Grand Old Party with the Lok Sabha in addition to Maharashtra Assembly elections round the nook?
Milind Deora and the Congress
The 47-year-old Milind Deora has ties with the Congress that return to his father, Murli Deora. In truth, senior Deora via his political acumen had earned the moniker of ‘kingmaker’ and had solidified south Mumbai as a Congress stronghold.
The industrialist-turned-politician was an in depth confidant of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and was a trusted aide of the Gandhis. He was additionally a four-time Lok Sabha MP and three-time Rajya Sabha MP. He additionally owns the honour of being the solely petroleum minister to serve a full five-year time period in two consecutive governments beneath prime minister Manmohan Singh.
When his son, Milind, joined politics, he too joined the Congress. Between 2011 and 2014, Milind Deora was the Union minister of state for communication and knowledge know-how and in 2012, he was given a further duty as junior Union minister of delivery. He additionally held the South Mumbai constituency for 2 consecutive phrases — 2004 and 2009. Later, he misplaced two successive Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and 2019 to Shiv Sena’s Arvind Sawant.
Deora’s exit follows a string of younger leaders leaving the Congress; Jyotiraditya Scindia resigned from the social gathering and joined the BJP in 2020. In the following 12 months, ex-UPA minister Jitin Prasada give up the Congress citing the social gathering’s rising disconnect with the folks.
Even former Mahila Congress chief Sushmita Dev give up for TMC whereas former union minister RPN Singh, former Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar and social gathering spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill additionally joined the BJP.
Reasons for Deora’s exit
There is nobody motive as to why Deora give up the social gathering. In truth, it’s a mix of a number of causes, some offered by him.
When he joined the Shinde-led Sena camp, he mentioned, “When I came into politics 20 years ago, I was taught by my mentors that politics should be positive and development-oriented. The service of the people is the most important ideology.”
He additionally penned a letter citing the causes for his exit, which he shared on social media platform X. In it, the former MP wrote, “The current state of the Congress no longer resonates with the party that my father Murlibhai and I joined in 1968 and 2004, respectively. It has deviated from its ideological and organizational roots, lacking appreciation for honesty and constructive criticism. The party that once initiated India’s economic liberalisation now targets business houses as ‘anti-national. It has strayed from celebrating India’s diverse culture and religions, fostering division based on caste, and creating a North-South divide. Failing not just to attain power but also to effectively serve as a constructive opposition at the Centre.”
He charged that the Congress was indulging in politics of PAIN — private assaults, injustice and negativity. The 47-year-old additional charged his former social gathering of being poisonous and suffocating. Speaking to NDTV, he mentioned, “I found it suffocating, and toxic. It certainly isn’t the Congress my father joined. They are not the same like they were 20 years.”
He additional added that immediately’s Congress had just one purpose in thoughts — to oppose Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The same party that used to offer constructive suggestions to this country, on how to take the country forward, has now just one goal — speak against whatever PM Modi says and does. Tomorrow, if he says that Congress is a very good party, they will oppose it. I believe in the politics of GAIN – Growth, Aspiration, Inclusivity and Nationalism. I don’t believe in the politics of PAIN — Personal Attacks, Injustice and Negativity,” he was quoted as saying.
But the Congress’ so-called transformation isn’t the solely motive for Deora’s exit. Sources near Deora had been quoted as saying that his exit comes after a “very long and futile wait”. He was left in a sulk as he couldn’t get an assurance from the Congress that he would get to contest from the Mumbai South constituency in the upcoming elections. According to many insiders, the Shiv Sena (UBT) had laid declare to the seat and Congress was unable to supply Deora with any type of assurance.
It can also be reported that Deora was to hitch the BJP. However, as per a Times of India report, the social gathering was not going to think about him for a Lok Sabha seat. “He decided to join Shiv Sena on Shinde’s assurance that he would be considered for nomination to Rajya Sabha in place of Sena (UBT)’s Anil Desai, whose term is nearing completion,” a senior Shiv Sena functionary instructed the Times of India.
Impact of Deora’s exit
The exit of Deora, regardless that the Congress says gained’t hurt them, will have an effect on the Congress considerably. Deora’s exit might immediate different corporators, MLAs and leaders of the social gathering to modify sides. In truth, an Indian Express report has mentioned that no less than 10 former corporators of Mumbai and leaders of South Mumbai are believed to be set to observe him to the ruling social gathering.
With Deora’s exit, the Congress has additionally misplaced its solely viable candidate from the Mumbai South Lok Sabha seat. Deora was thought of the solely competitors to Arvind Sawant, who presently holds the seat. This is a blow to the Congress forward of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Deora’s exit additionally hurts the social gathering’s means to barter seats with different events in the INDIA bloc.
Poll pundits have additionally said that Deora’s exit has implications past simply seats. He had connections throughout companies and corporates and ensured that the social gathering obtained funding from the, forward of the polls. With his exit, there’s a concern that the corporates which supported Deora will now prolong their monetary support to a different social gathering as an alternative of the Congress.
With Deora’s exit, the Congress has additionally misplaced a outstanding Gujarati face, who had acceptance in Mumbai.
Congress speaks
The Congress reacting to Deora’s resignation mentioned it was decided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “headline management” to counter the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, and asserted that it would don’t have any impression.
The metropolis Congress unit termed Deora’s resignation as “unfortunate”. Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole referred to as it a ploy by the BJP to divert the consideration from the yatra and mocked Deora as a “twice defeated candidate”.
Former chief minister Ashok Chavan mentioned Deora needed to contest from the Mumbai South constituency however the (Maha Vikas Aghadi) alliance’s understanding is that the sitting MP should not be disturbed.
With inputs from businesses
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