‘Mere rumours’: Milind Deora on speculations of quitting Congress

Mumbai: Congress leader Milind Deora on Saturday responded to talks about him planning to quit Congress and join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction. He dismissed any such talk as “rumours”. Speculations about Deora planning to move out of the party started after he recently expressed his unhappiness over the Shiv Sena (UBT) staking claim for the Mumbai South seat.

Discussing with supporters: Deora

The rumor however did seem to have some truth to it, given the fact that Deora said that he was holding discussions with his supporters. He said that he was listening to his supporters and had not made any decision yet.

He however categorically denied planning to quit Congress. Deora was angry after the Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena staked claim to the Mumbai South seat, ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections, scheduled this year.

Also Read: Milind Deora leaving Congress for Eknath Shinde’s Sena? Speculations rife amid tussle over South Mumbai LS ticket

Deora represented the South Mumbai constituency before 2014. He won the seat in 2004 and again in 2009 General Elections. He lost it to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant in 2014 elections and since then the seat has been held by the Sena.

Earlier in a video message Deora had made his displeasure public regarding the seat. He said that “if alliance partners don’t stop, his party too can announce candidates for seats.” He further said that formal talks on seat sharing ahead of the elections are still underway and so it would be better if parties stop making claims and counter-claims regarding any of the seats. He also said that the Mumbai South seat was represented by his family for 50 years and his win was not on any “wave”.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) is in alliance with the Congress and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and together they form the Maha Vikas Aghadi. Deora is the son of Congress veteran Murli Deora and has been a key leader of the Congress.