‘Never thought that I would quit Congress…,’ Milind Deora after joining Shiv Sena

MUMBAI: Hours after resigning from the primary membership of Congress, former Union Minister Milind Deora joined Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday calling it an “emotional day” and said he never thought that he would “quit” Congress.

The Maharashtra leader ended his 55-year-old association with the party which went back to his father Murli Deora.

After joining Shiv Sena, Deora said, “This is a very emotional day for me. I had never thought that I would quit Congress. Today, I joined Shiv Sena.”

While emphasizing his commitment to Congress, Milind Deora said that he remained loyal to the party during its most challenging decade.

“I have been receiving a lot of phone calls since morning that why did I sever 55-year-old ties of my family with Congress party…I was loyal to the party during its most challenging decade. Unfortunately, today’s Congress is very different from the Congress of 1968 as well as that of 2004. Had Congress and UBT given importance to constructive and positive suggestions and merit and capability, Eknath Shinde and I wouldn’t have been here. Eknath Shinde had to make a major decision, I had to make a major decision,” he said.

Attacking the grand old party he said that earlier Congress used to offer constructive suggestions to this country, on how to take the country forward they have just one goal to speak against PM Modi.

“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,” he added.

Deora further added “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.”

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Deora said that it is a matter of pride for all of us that under the leadership of PM Modi, India is stronger today.

“A strong government is needed at the Centre and States in India. It is a matter of pride for all of us that under the leadership of PM Modi, India is stronger today…I would like to add that in the last 10 years not one terror attack has happened in Mumbai. This is a major achievement for Mumbaikars,” Deora said.

Meanwhile, along with Deora, Sunil Narsale, Hansa Maru, Rambachan Murai, Pramod Manjrekar, Anita Yadav, Gajendra Lashkari, Ramesh Yadav, Prakash Raut joined Shiv Sena.

Milind Deora’s decision to quit Congress came on the day senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi kickstarted his nationwide ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ from Manipur’s Thoubal. (ANI)