MUMBAI: Amid reports that he would be quitting the Shiv Sena (UBT) and joining the BJP or the Sena led by Eknath Shinde, former Sena (UBT) MLA Rajan Salvi denied that he was leaving.
“I am known as a loyal soldier of the Thackerays. We faced defeat in 2024. The sorrow, regret, and pain of defeat are shared by the common people of my constituency, including me. While regretting defeat, Shiv Sena (UBT) is also moving towards the future. Through you, I understand that I am unhappy on the path of the BJP or Shinde faction. But there is nothing like that. My journey is continuing in my daily work. Such news is just rumours. This loyal soldier will remain Balasaheb. There is no doubt about it,” Salvi, who was an MLA from Rajpur in the Konkan region, said.
“After the defeat, a meeting of the losing candidates was held at Matoshree in Mumbai. The reason for the defeat and introspection were discussed there. That is what is important from our point of view. The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigation was underway. We approached the High Court regarding this. The HC’s decision is expected after the holidays. I know for sure that there is a sword hanging over us,” Salvi said.
“People want to pluck ripe mangoes. The BJP may have tried to do so. But no one contacted me. It is the duty of every party chief to welcome a person who joins the party. But because of my organisational skills in the constituency and district, they may want me to come. That is why they must be expecting me,” Salvi said, responding to BJP neta’s statements that the BJP would welcome Salvi if he decided to join.
In 2023, Salvi was under ACB investigation for disproportionate assets. Salvi’s wife, elder brother, and sister-in-law were issued notices and summoned by the ACB for questioning. Salvi lost the 2024 assembly against Sena’s Kiran Samant.
