In Setback To Uddhav's Sena, Former MLA Rajan Salvi Resigns From Party, Likely To Switch To Shinde Camp

Rajan Salvi, a former Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA, resigned from the party and he is likely to join the rival Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

File photo of former Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Rajan Salvi.

Source : PTI

Shiv Sena (UBT)'s leader and former MLA Rajan Salvi, who represented the Rajapur Assembly constituency for three terms resigned from the party on Wednesday. He is likely to join the Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Salvi faced a tough challenge in the recently held assembly elections, ultimately losing to Shiv Sena candidate Kiran Samant, the brother of Industries Minister Uday Samant. His political struggles deepened after the 2022 Shiv Sena split, as he chose to stay with the Uddhav-led faction instead of joining the Shinde camp.

According to a report by HT, he later became embroiled in legal issues, with the state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) launching an investigation into alleged disproportionate assets. During his campaign, he voiced concerns over financial hardships after his accounts were frozen.

Rajan Salvi Conveys Dissatisfaction 

Meanwhile, the Samant brothers have been strengthening their hold in the region. Kiran Samant, initially aiming for a Lok Sabha ticket, was denied a nomination but later secured the Rajapur Assembly seat, while Uday Samant won from Ratnagiri. Salvi, on the other hand, struggled as several of his key supporters defected to Kiran Samant’s camp.

Following his defeat, Salvi met Uddhav Thackeray and conveyed his dissatisfaction with Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership, particularly with senior leader Vinayak Raut. Sources indicate that a key dispute was over the Nanar refinery project—Salvi supported it, while Raut was firmly against it.

Reacting against Salvi, Sena (UBT) leader Vinayak Raut said, “After his defeat, Salvi started talking about the BJP, but people did not respond. He called Shinde a traitor, and now he wants to join him. He can do anything for his own selfish goals.”

Previously, despite speculation, Salvi has maintained silence and declined to comment. Just days ago, he publicly denied any intentions of leaving the Thackeray faction.