The reports of Deora's defection surfaced amid the rift between the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and their ally, the Congress, over the Mumbai South Lok Sabha constituency.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said they wouldn’t compromise on South Mumbai’s Lok Sabha seat as the party has won from the constituency in the past two general elections. Congress leader Milind Deora announced his resignation from the party on Sunday reportedly due to his displeasure over Sena staking claim over the seat.