Former Union Minister Milind Deora, who resigned from primary membership of the Congress party, on Sunday joined Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction at the latter's official residence in the presence of top party leaders.

He made the move ahead of the Lok Sabha polls which are scheduled to take place in the upcoming months.

The decision of Deora marks a significant chapter in his political journey, ending his family's 55-year relationship with the Congress.

He had earlier expressed his gratitude to all the leaders, colleagues, and karyakartas for their unwavering support throughout the years in the grand old party.

He posted on X: "Today marks the conclusion of a significant chapter in my political journey. I have tendered my resignation from the primary membership of @INCIndia, ending my family’s 55-year relationship with the party."

"I am grateful to all leaders, colleagues & karyakartas for their unwavering support over the years," he wrote. 

Sanjay Raut slams Deora

In a veiled dig at Milind Deora, Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray faction leader Sanjay Raut said the absence of loyalty and ideology characterises present-day politics.

Raut said now politics was all about power.

Raut also referred to Milind Deora's father, Murli Deora, saying he was a great leader who had a special attachment with the Congress.

"Things like loyalty and ideology don't exist now, the politics is all about power now. I knew Murli Deora, he was a big leader and had a special attachment with Congress," the Rajya Sabha MP further said.

(With UNI Inputs)