‘Timing determined by PM’: Congress takes a jibe at Milind Deora’s exit

Just minutes after senior leader Milind Deora announced his resignation from the Congress today, now the party has thrown a jab at him, invoking his father and Congress veteran Murli Deora. “Murli Deora always stood by the Congress party, through thick and thin,” Jairam Ramesh wrote in his X post, in a not-so-subtle swipe at Deora junior who is set to join rival Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Sunday.

Milind Deora resigns from Congress

The 47-year-old former union minister, Milind Deora ended his family's 55-year relationship with Congress. This followed speculation over the major move. Deora was unhappy as ally Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) sought to contest the coveted South Mumbai parliamentary seat during recent Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance seat-sharing talks. The Deoras have traditionally run from that constituency.

"Today marks the conclusion of a significant chapter in my political journey. I have tendered my resignation from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress, 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," Milind Deora tweeted.

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…

— Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा ☮️ (@milinddeora) January 14, 2024

This move comes a day after Deora, on Saturday, dismissed the speculation that he was on his way out and would join the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde. He had termed these "rumours."

However, now there are reports that Milind Deora is likely to join Shiv Sena.

Milind on his resignation

Meanwhile, Milind speaking about his resignation has said that he is now walking on the path of development.

#WATCH | On his resignation from Congress, Milind Deora says, "I am walking on the path of development." pic.twitter.com/N1W1Kr04DQ

— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2024

Congress takes a jibe at Milind Deora amid his exit

Interestingly, the Congress lost no time reminding Deora of his father and former union minister Milind Deora’s lifelong commitment to the party.

Taking a jibe at Deora, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh took to X, saying, “I recall my long years of association with MURLI Deora with great fondness. He had close friends in all political parties, but was a stalwart Congressman who ALWAYS stood by the Congress party — through thick and thin. Tathastu!"

I recall my long years of association with MURLI Deora with great fondness. He had close friends in all political parties, but was a stalwart Congressman who ALWAYS stood by the Congress party — through thick and thin.

Tathastu!

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) January 14, 2024

‘Deora wanted to speak to Rahul Gandhi’

Speaking to news agency ANI, Ramesh then said that Milind Deora had spoken with him over the phone this Friday and requested that he speak with Rahul Gandhi over his concerns over the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) laying claim to the South Mumbai Lok Sabha seat. Milind Deora and his father Murli Deora served as MPs from Mumbai South.

#WATCH | On Milind Deora's resignation from Congress, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh says, "He (Murli Deora, father of Milind Deora) was a big leader of our party and he had a friendship with all parties but he was a stalwart Congressman. I remember him today." pic.twitter.com/TaaZQj0dt1

— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2024

"He messaged me on Friday at 8:52 AM and then at 2:47 PM I replied, 'Are you planning a switch?'. At 2:48 he sent a message, 'is speaking to you not possible?' I said I will call you and at 3:40, I spoke to him," Ramesh said.

"He (Deora) said he is concerned that it is a sitting Shiv Sena seat, he wanted to meet Rahul Gandhi and explain to him about the seat and also wanted me to talk to Mr Gandhi about it," the Congress general secretary added.

#WATCH | Imphal: On Milind Deora's resignation from Congress, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh says, "Prime Minister has decided this, there is no doubt about it." pic.twitter.com/yKNPctoKyZ

— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2024

He then alleged, "Obviously all this was a farce and he had made up his mind to leave. The timing of the announcement of his departure was clearly determined by the PM.”