Mumbai Congress President Varsha Gaikwad expressed regret on Sunday over colleague and former Union Minister Milind Deora's decision to quit the party, particularly on the day the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' led by Rahul Gandhi began in Manipur. Maharashtra Congress Chief Nana Patole dismissed Deora's move as a ploy by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to divert attention from the yatra, mocking him as a "twice defeated candidate."
Former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan revealed that Milind Deora had desired to contest from the South Mumbai Lok Sabha seat, but the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance had decided not to disturb the sitting MP. Chavan suggested that Deora could have explored other opportunities but acknowledged that the decision to quit was ultimately his own.
In a video statement, Varsha Gaikwad urged Milind Deora to reconsider his decision, emphasizing the familial bond between his family and the Congress. She expressed sadness over Deora's departure on a day when the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra was commencing from Manipur.
Nana Patole accused the BJP of orchestrating Deora's exit to detract from the significance of the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.' He asserted that the yatra would culminate in Mumbai, signaling the end of the ruling alliance comprising the Shiv Sena, BJP, and the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party.
Milind Deora, who recently became the joint treasurer of the All India Congress Committee, had voiced his disagreement with the Shiv Sena's claim to the South Mumbai Lok Sabha seat. Speculation is rife that he may join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena following his resignation from the Congress. In a social media post, Deora thanked his supporters and colleagues, marking the end of his family's 55-year association with the party.
(With Agency Inputs)
