How Milind Deora's Exit Will Impact Congress?

The Mumbai Congress received a big jolt on the day Rahul Gandhi started the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra as senior leader Milind M Deora announced his departure from the party. Later in the day, he officially joined the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

The foreign-educated leader, son of staunch Congressman Murli Deora, took a step that many within the Congress and even the ruling MahaYuti alliance considered 'unimaginable.' He abandoned the tricoloured 'Hand' symbol in favour of the saffron 'Bow-and-Arrow' flag, thereby bringing an end to the Deora family's 55-year association with the Congress.

Acknowledging the emotional weight of his decision to distance himself from Congress, Deora expressed his desire to align with a leader who values constructive ideas, recognizes his credentials, and seeks to harness his abilities in Parliament for the advancement of both the nation and the state.

"Eknath Shinde ji believes in my potential and embodies the belief that hard work can achieve the impossible," he stated.

He criticised the Congress for its strong criticism of the Adani Group in recent years. "The party that once initiated the country's economic liberalisation now targets business houses as 'anti-national.' It has strayed from celebrating the country's diverse cultures and religions, fostering a division based on caste and creating a North-South divide. It has deviated from its ideological and organisational roots," he said.

Deora further said the Congress has not only failed to come back to power but has also failed to effectively serve as a constructive opposition at the Centre.

He went on to highlight the humble backgrounds of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

"Today, we witness a chaiwala rising to become the Prime Minister of the world's largest democracy and an autorickshaw driver serving as the chief minister of India's second-largest state. This transformation enriches the country's political landscape, affirming our egalitarian values," Deora added.

How it will impact Congress?
Milind Deora was elected to Lok Sabha from Mumbai South in 2004 and 2009. However, he lost in 2014 and 2019 to Arvind Sawant who contested as a Shiv Sena (undivided) candidate on both occasions.

Deora had set his eyes on the South Mumbai Lok Sabha seat. However, the party conceded the seat to its ally Shiv Sena (UBT), which had previously won it in both 2014 and 2019. This decision proved to be the decisive factor, prompting Deora to resign and bringing an end to his family's 55-year association with Congress.

He had a strong desire to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from the South Mumbai constituency. However, the party conceded the seat to its ally Shiv Sena (UBT), which had previously won it in both 2014 and 2019. This decision proved to be the decisive factor, prompting Deora to resign and bringing an end to his family's 55-year association with Congress.

Deora's departure is expected to impact both the Congress and the prospects of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Mumbai in the upcoming parliamentary and assembly elections. He commands a significant following within the party, and there is a possibility that many of his supporters may choose to follow him. Moreover, the Deora family's rapport with voters in various parts of the city may lead to a decline in support for the Congress in the upcoming elections.

Congress has been losing its foothold in Mumbai for years. The party once enjoyed support from slum dwellers, minorities, Dalits, and the non-Marathi-speaking populace like North Indians and Gujarati-Marwaris. However, Congress' traditional rival maintained dominance in Marathi-speaking areas but the rise of Narendra Modi in 2014 changed the dynamics.

As a result, the Congress has a single MP from Mumbai in six parliamentary seats. Today, it has just four assembly members across 36 constituencies. Deora's exit adds salt to the wounds and only shows the factionalism in the Mumbai unit of Congress.

Deora's departure has added to the challenges faced by Varsha Gaikwad, the MLA from Dharavi, who took on the role of Mumbai Congress president in June 2023. The party is now grappling with a credibility crisis among voters, making Gaikwad's leadership more challenging.

On the other hand, Shinde's party got a shot in the arm after Deora joined his Sena. How much it will benefit will be known in the months to come.