"Eknath Shinde And I Wouldn't Have Been Here If...": Milind Deora Reveals Reason For Leaving Congress, Joining Shiv Sena

Former Congress leader Milind Deora joined Eknath Shind-led Shiv Sena on Sunday (14 January) in Mumbai and attacked the grand old party for what it has turned into.

Deora was being attacked for ending the 55-year relationship of his family with the party, responding to which he said, "Today's Congress is very different from the Congress of 1968 when my late father joined this party as well as that of 2004 when I joined this party."

He pointed out that he remained loyal to the party during its most challenging decade. "Had Congress and UBT given importance to constructive and positive suggestions and merit and capability, Eknath Shinde and I wouldn't have been here," he said.

Deora added, "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 too."

He explained, "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."

Deora is a former Lok Sabha MP from Mumbai South, where he won in 2004 and 2009 but lost two successive elections to Shiv Sena's Arvind Sawant.

Since the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena is now in alliance with the Congress under Maha Vikas Aghadi, Deora would have feared that this seat might go to Shiv Sena (UBT) in seat-sharing talks.

Notably, Mumbai South has been a legacy seat for him as his father Murli Deora represented the constituency four times and worked here for 40 years.