'Don't believe in politics of PAIN': Milind Deora's dig at Congress, Rahul Gandhi after joining Shinde-led Shiv Sena

NEW DELHI: Milind Deora, who ended his long association with Congress on Sunday, launched a stinging attack on the grand old party after joining the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in Mumbai.

Deora also took a veiled swipe at Rahul Gandhi, with whom he once shared a close relationship, saying that the party which once launched economic reforms under Manmohan Singh is now abusing industrialists and businessmen.



"When Manmohan Singh was the finance minister 30 years ago, the Congress party ushered in economic reforms, but now it is abusing industrialists and businessmen, and calling them anti-nationals," Deora said.

Though Deora didn't name anyone, he was apparently referring to Rahul Gandhi who often criticises the Adani Group.

Deora further noted that the party that once used to offer constructive suggestions is now only speaking against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, no matter what he says or does.

"The same party that used to offer constructive suggestions to this country, on how to take the country forward, has now just one goal - speak against whatever PM Modi says and does. Tomorrow, if he says that Congress is a very good party, they will oppose it," Deora said.

"I believe in the politics of GAIN - Growth, Aspiration, Inclusivity and Nationalism. I don't believe in the politics of PAIN - Personal Attacks, Injustice and Negativity," he added.

The Shinde-led Shiv Sena is part of the BJP-led NDA in Maharashtra.

Deora, who joined Shiv Sena in the presence of the Maharashtra chief minister, also heaped praise on PM Modi for his vision.

Addressing a gathering at Varsha, the official residence of Shinde, Deora said that it was not an easy decision to quit Congress.

"It is not easy to make a decision to quit Congress with whom the Deora family has been associated for 55 years. Chief minister Eknath Shinde requires good people. It is the opinion of Shinde and Lok Sabha member Shrikant Shinde that I can represent his vision and I am thankful to them for trusting me."

"I want to tell one thing, I was loyal to Congress when it was going through a difficult phase. I joined Congress in 2004. If Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) had focused on the constructive suggestions and merit, we would not be sitting here," he said pointing at Shinde, whose rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray split Shiv Sena in June 2022.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde said that the sentiments Milind Deora is experiencing today mirror those he felt 1.5 years ago.

"The feelings that you (Milind Deora) have in your mind today are the same that I had 1.5 years back. Such situations arise when a decision has to be made," Shinde, who rebelled against the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and formed his own rival outfit in 2022, said.

Earlier today, Deora announced that he is ending his family's 55-year association with Congress as he joined a growing list of young leaders who have left the grand old party in recent months.

(With inputs from agencies)

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