Milind Deora quits Congress: Varsha Gaikwad asks him to reconsider; Nana Patole slams ruling alliance

Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad on Sunday said it was unfortunate colleague and former Union minister Milind Deora had quit the party on the day when the Rahul Gandhiled Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra commences from strifetorn ManipurMaharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole called it a ploy by the Bharatiya Janata Party to divert attention from the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and mocked Deora as a twice defeated candidate reported news agency PTIFormer chief minister Ashok Chavan said Deora wanted to contest from South Mumbai Lok Sabha seat reported PTIMilind Deora quits Congress Varsha Gaikwad asks him to reconsiderIn a video statement Varsha Gaikwad urged the former South Mumbai Lok Sabha MP to reconsider his decision saying his family and the Congress family were one reported PTIIt is unfortunate Deora chose to quit on a day when the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra starts from Manipur I urge him to reconsider his decision The Congress has always stood by him she saidThe Congress party and I are extremely sad at the development The AICC in charge and I tried to hold a dialogue with Milind Deora to impress upon him that we are family and have to be together said Varsha Gaikwad an MLA from Mumbais Dharavi areaMilind Deora quits Congress Ashok Chavan says Deora could have got some other opportunityFormer chief minister and Congress Working Committee member Ashok Chavan said Deora wanted to contest from South Mumbai Lok Sabha seat but the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliances understanding what that the sitting MP must not be disturbed reported PTIHe could have got some other opportunity But to quit is his call Chavan told PTIMilind Deora quits Congress Nana Patole slams ruling allianceSpeaking on the issue Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said the Bharatiya Janata Party is frightened with the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra that is set to begin during the day reported PTIThe BJP was spreading rumours that the Congress will split Now the BJP and its allies are taking along with them a twice defeated candidate to divert attention from the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra This attempt will not be successful he said reported PTIThe yatra will conclude in Mumbai and will bring with it the end of the ruling alliance comprising the Eknath Shindeled Shiv Sena the BJP and the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party Patole asserted reported PTIIn a post on social media platform X formerly Twitter earlier in the day Milind Deora said Today marks the conclusion of a significant chapter in my political journey I have tendered my resignation from the primary membership of the Congress ending my familys 55 year relationship with the party I am grateful to all leaders colleagues and karyakartas for their unwavering support over the yearsSpeculation is rife in political circles over the past few days that he is likely to join the Eknath Shindeled Shiv SenaMilind Deora who was recently appointed the joint treasurer of the All India Congress Committee had expressed disapproval at the Uddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena UBT laying claim to the South Mumbai Lok Sabha seatThe undivided Shiv Senas Arvind Sawant now with the Thackeray faction had defeated Deora in the 2014 and 2019 general elections