Milind Deora's leaves Congress. What does it mean for the party?

Milind Deora, son of late Congressman and seven-time MP Murli Deora, has joined Shinde faction of Shiv Sena.

On the day Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra to drum up support for the party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections due in April-March, his once close aide Milind Deora quit the party, the latest in a string of high-profile exits.

The former South Mumbai MP crossed over to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction on January 14. There was a world of difference between the Congress his father joined in 1968 and the one he joined in 2004, Deora said of his family’s ties with the party.

The 47-year-old expressed dissatisfaction with opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), alleging the Congress and the Shiv Sena (UBT) weren’t focusing on constructive issues.  The Nationalist Congress Party is the third player in the MVA.

His move has once again raised the question of why party loyalists were deserting the Congress.

“After 2014, we have seen a change in the Congress party’s approach. It has not reached out to disgruntled leaders, which has certainly caused a leadership crisis as well. The high command has shown its interest only in 2020 when Sachin Pilot was at the brink of revolt,” political analyst Rasheed Kidwai said.

The Shinde faction is seen to have gained from Deora’s entry, who has a proven track record in his constituency and is seen as a potential winning candidate.

Deora’s late father Murli Deora was also close to the Gandhi family and considered their confidant, often referred to as a “kingmaker” with a strong foothold in South Mumbai.

The two families 55-year-old association ended with Deora walking out of the party, becoming the latest “youth leaders” once said to be part of Gandhi’s inner circle to leave after Jyotiraditya Scindia and Jitin Prasada, who have since joined the BJP.

Political commentators say Deora worked in various capacities in reshaping the Congress’ strategy and continued to work on the ground.

Deora was feeling sidelined after he was appointed joint treasurer of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) while he was looking for a co-treasurer’s post, party insiders said.

He had expressed his displeasure with senior leaders but was paid no attention till he left, sources added.

“Deora’s exit before elections shows Congress's position in a negative spotlight. Now people are asking why senior leaders prefer to quit. The party leadership will have to sit with leaders upset with any reason,” Kidwai said.