Milind Deora quits Congress ahead of Rahul Gandhi's yatra: 'On path of vikas'

Milind Deora on Saturday said he has resigned from the Congress party. The development was confirmed by Deora through X, where he wrote, "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 wrote.

"I am grateful to all leaders, colleagues & karyakartas for their unwavering support over the years." (sic), he added.

Speaking to reporters, hours after his announcement, Deoria said, "I am walking on the path of development."

Later, Deoria also offered prayers at the Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai.

On Saturday, Deora had dismissed the speculation that he was on his way out and would join the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

He had termed these "rumours".

Deora, who recently made his displeasure over the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) staking a claim to the Mumbai South Lok Sabha constituency public, however, told reporters that he is holding discussions with his supporters.

"I am listening to my supporters... Haven't taken a decision yet," the former Mumbai South MP said when asked if he was chalking out a plan with his supporters.

These are rumours, he said while responding to a query on reports in some sections of the media that he was quitting the Congress to join the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led group had staked a claim to contest the Mumbai South constituency, represented by Deora before 2014, in the upcoming general elections, which has not gone down well with the Congress leader.

In a video statement issued last Sunday, Deora said that if such statements by an "alliance partner" don't stop, his party too can announce candidates for seats.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) is an alliance partner of the Congress and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) in the Maha Vikas Aghadi.

Deora had said since the formal talks on sharing of seats are yet to be concluded, nobody should make claims and counter-claims.

Deora, son of Congress veteran Murli Deora, had won the Mumbai South seat in 2004 and 2009. He ended up as the first runner-up in the subsequent elections in 2014 and 2019 against Shiv Sena (Undivided) leader Arvind Sawant.