Former Shiv Sena (UBT) Legislator Rajan Salvi Joins Eknath Shinde's Faction

Thane, Feb 13 (NationPress) The Shiv Sena (UBT) faced another setback as Rajan Salvi, a legislator for three terms who lost the 2024 Assembly elections from the Ratapur constituency in the Konkan region, officially joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Thursday.

Feeling overlooked by his party, especially after his electoral defeat in 2024, Salvi tendered his resignation from the role of deputy leader of Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday.

“I am a devoted Shiv Sainik of Balasaheb Thackeray. I have adhered to his vision and will continue to uphold his principles,” Salvi stated.

Insiders within Shiv Sena indicated that Salvi's departure from the Thackeray faction to align with Eknath Shinde was part of an initiative dubbed 'Operation Tiger'.

Reports suggested that numerous leaders, workers, and sitting legislators from Shiv Sena (UBT) are eager to switch sides.

Salvi's joining ceremony took place in Thane, attended by party chief and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, along with Industry Minister Uday Samant and various other party officials.

Salvi had previously met with Shinde and Uday Samant, alongside Kiran Samant, who defeated him in the 2024 elections from the Rajapur seat.

The Samant brothers assured Shinde of Salvi's involvement in the development of Rajapur and promised him appropriate recognition within the party's organizational structure. There is speculation that the Shinde faction may nominate Salvi to the state Legislative Council under the Governor's quota.

By aligning with Shiv Sena, Salvi has dispelled rumors regarding a potential switch to the BJP. He expressed his commitment to working alongside Eknath Shinde to fortify Shiv Sena's presence in the Rajapur constituency and the broader Konkan region, in collaboration with Uday Samant and Kiran Samant.

Accompanied by supporters who abandoned Shiv Sena (UBT), Salvi made the transition to the Shinde faction.

Shiv Sena (UBT) is currently grappling with a significant crisis as many leaders and workers have defected since Shinde's rebellion and merger with the BJP in June 2022, exacerbated by the recent electoral losses in 2024.

Salvi had recently participated in an extensive meeting with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, where he professed his loyalty to the party, claiming he would not defect.

However, he ultimately decided to leave Thackeray's camp, blaming former MP and Shiv Sena-UBT leader Vinayak Raut for his defeat in the 2024 elections, an accusation Raut has vehemently denied.

Insiders from Shiv Sena (UBT) suggested that Salvi's departure might be an attempt to escape ongoing investigations by the Anti-Corruption Bureau concerning property matters.

Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Bhaskar Jadhav remarked that Salvi should have remained with the party rather than joining the Shinde faction.

“The leadership must take these departures seriously and work to maintain unity within the ranks for the party's revival. They should cease stating that 'those who wish to leave may leave' and instead focus on retaining members for rejuvenation,” Jadhav emphasized.