New Delhi: Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Milind M. Deora announced his departure from the grand old party early on Sunday. He was warmly embraced into the ruling Shiv Sena by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Accompanied by his wife Pooja Shetty-Deora and other family members, the induction ceremony took place at the Chief Minister’s official residence ‘Varsha.’
Eknath Shinde welcomed Milind Deora with a stole, the party flag, and flowers, eliciting thunderous cheers and applause from his supporters. Beyond Deora, numerous leaders and activists from Mumbai Congress, as well as affiliated organizations at both city and state levels, also joined Shiv Sena. This mass exodus raises concerns for the 139-year-old Congress party, founded in 1885, as it comes strategically before the BMC elections, along with the impending Lok Sabha and Assembly polls later this year. The notable departure of office-bearers and senior activists adds to the political implications for the Congress in the region.