'Congress will oppose Modi even if he praises them': Milind Deora after joining Shinde-led Shiv Sena

Mumbai: In a major jolt to the Congress, former minister and two-time MP Milind Deora on Sunday ended the 55-year-old association of the Deora family with the grand old party and joined the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

As he entered the fold of BJP-led NDA, Deora showered praise on the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“The Congress just want to oppose Modi ji…tomorrow if Modi ji says that Congress is a good party, they would oppose that too,” Deora said, adding that he had been with the Congress during the most difficult decade but had to take such a decision. “I never thought I would ever leave Congress,” an emotional Deora said.

“The same Congress party which had ushered in economic reforms in India is now abusing industrialists, businesspersons and the government doing good work,” said Deora.

Deora (47), who had represented the Mumbai South Lok Sabha seat in 2004 and 2009, is the son of late seven-time MP Murli Deora, known for his close association with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi.

Considered to enjoy good equations with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the junior Deora resigned from the party and within hours joined the Shiv Sena.

Deora might be sent to Rajya Sabha or contest the Lok Sabha polls from Mumbai South.

One of the many reasons for Deora quitting the Congress is rumoured to be the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) claiming the Mumbai South seat for Arvind Sawant, who is the sitting MP.

This is the first big exit from the Maha Vikas Aghadi because of the complex seat-sharing negotiations.

The departure of Deora comes on a day when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi commenced his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Manipur. The yatra will culminate in Maharashtra.

On Deora's exit, Congress Leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury told reporters in Imphal that one should ask the young leader why he left the party when it had made him an MP and minister. "What can I say? If someone wishes to leave the party, they can. I met him last time in Nagpur and had a good conversation with him. What did Congress not give him? He was an MP, he was a minister. He will have to say what forced him to leave?" he said.