Congress Leader Milind Deora's Heart-To-Heart Chat With PM Modi Triggers Speculations

Former Mumbai Congress chief Milind Deora's Twitter conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi has triggered speculations of him switching loyalties ahead of Maharashtra Assembly elections. Deora had put out a tweet, heaping praises on PM Modi for his address at Monday's mega 'Howdy, Modi' event in Houston.

"@PMOIndia’s Houston address was a momentous first for India’s soft power diplomacy. My father Murlibhai was one of the early architects of deeper Indo-US ties.DonaldTrump’s hospitality & recognition of Indian Americans’ contributions makes us proud," Deora wrote on Twitter.

PM Modi was quick to recongnise the Congress leader's tweet. Thanking him for his appreciation, Modi struck the emotional chord with Deora and said that his "friend" late Murli Deora, Milind's father, would have been happy to see the strengthening Indo-US ties.

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"Thank you Milind Deora. You are absolutely correct when you highlight my friend, late Murli Deora Ji’s commitment to strong ties with USA. He would have been really glad to see the strengthening of ties between our nations. The warmth and hospitality of POTUS was outstanding," Modi replied to Deora.

Deora also thanked Modi and said that even his Democrat and Republican friends acknowledge India's leadership in the 21st century.

Thank you @narendramodi ji!

Murlibhai put nation first & worked with all governments in India & the US to deepen ties between our great countries.

In my many interactions with my Democrat & Republican friends, they, too, acknowledge India’s leadership in the 21st century https://t.co/AXbEb6ZDtK

— Milind Deora मिलिंद देवरा (@milinddeora) September 23, 2019

Interestingly, in its official statement, the Congress party has criticised Modi for openly campaigning for Donald Trump, who will seek re-election next year. The Congress party slammed Modi's Houston rally speech, saying that "hate is spreading through our country & innocent people are suffering for it, but according to PM Modi "everything is fine".

Not just that, Union Minsiter Kiren Rijiju also praised Deora's matured and honest comments on Modi's US visit. Deora, replying to Rijiju said that "foreign Policy should be divorced from partisan politics."

This was not the first time Milind Deora has crossed the partyline to praise PM Modi or the ruling BJP government. He had termed Centre's corporate tax cut decision a "step in the right direction", even as the Congress party termed the move 'anti-middle class".