New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) Congress leader, former Maharastra party chief, and son of former union minister Murali Deora, Milind Deora here on Monday triggered speculations across political circles by praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Howdy Modi' address as a "momentous first for India's soft power diplomacy".
Deora said his father Murli Deora, former Union Minister, was one of the first architects of deeper ties with the US. The PM replied saying his friend Murli Deora would have really been glad to see the strengthening of bilateral ties.
"@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. @realDonaldTrump's hospitality & recognition of Indian-Americans' contributions makes us proud ," the Congress leader tweeted.
PM Modi tweeted back: "Thank you @milinddeora. You are absolutely correct when you highlight my friend, late Murli Deoraji's commitment to strong ties with the USA. He would have been really glad to see the strengthening of ties between our nations. The warmth and hospitality of @POTUS was outstanding."
Deora replied: "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," he posted.
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted in response: "A matured & honest political comment by my dear friend @milinddeora. Dare to be honest and fear no labour. Honesty is not only the deepest policy, but the highest wisdom -- Charles Caleb Colton."
To which, Deora tweeted: "Thank you, Kiren. I have always believed that Foreign Policy should be divorced from partisan politics,"
Although there are speculations that Deora may quit the party, people close to him refuted it. “It was in reference to his father who shared good ties with the US since 1968, when he had an opportunity to meet Robert F Kennedy as part of a student exchange program. After that visit, he decided to join the polity,” a close aide of Deora said.
Deora has been keeping a low-profile after his resignation as chief unit chief was accepted early this month.
Congress leader and former state minister Rajendra Darda has resigned from the post of chairman of media and communication committee constituted for the state polls. Speculations are rife that Darda, three-time MLA from Aurangabad who heads a Marathi daily, may quit the party.