States » WestPosted at: Oct 30 2026 6:30PM


Maha: Sanjay Raut sparks controversy with Vijay Mallya not fugitive comment ahead of launch of his 17th book 'Bodh Kirtan'

Mumbai, Oct 30 (UNI) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Member of Parliament, Sanjay Raut, today ignited a major political row by defending fugitive tycoon Vijay Mallya, rejecting the "fugitive" (bhagoda) label attached to the businessman and accusing the central government of selective persecution.
Speaking ahead of the publication of his 17th book, 'Bodh Kirtan', the senior leader questioned why Mallya was denied financial concessions and forced out of the country while loans running into thousands of crores belonging to "friends of the government" were written off by state-run banks.
"People call Vijay Mallya a fugitive, but I do not agree with this," Raut said. "Who would willingly leave their own country? Circumstances forced him to leave. Everyone must consider the conditions under which he had to depart."
Claiming a personal acquaintance with Mallya during their concurrent terms in Parliament, Raut alleged that the former Kingfisher Airlines promoter had repaid more interest than his original loan amount and had already deposited nearly Rs 2,500 crore.
"Mallya was a prominent industrialist who continuously added to the national exchequer through taxes. His seized assets now exceed his total outstanding debt," Raut asserted, arguing that Mallya sought restructuring concessions to settle his remaining dues but was denied due to a lack of political backing.
Raut accused the administration of deliberately destroying non-aligned corporate entities, citing the collapse of both Kingfisher Airlines and Jet Airways. "If you want to shut down an industrialist’s business, swallow it, and create conditions where they cannot live in this country, what else can happen? They were forced to leave because they were not friends of the government," he charged.
Addressing questions regarding his upcoming book, Raut described 'Bodh Kirtan' as a non-political work comprising short stories, essays, philosophical reflections, poetry, and case studies, including one on South Sudanese businessman Lawrence Lual.
"Regardless of my role as an MP or politician, I wish to be remembered primarily as a writer and journalist until the end," Raut stated, adding that the book aims to offer readers moral guidance and enlightenment in the tradition of a kirtan. UNI NEP NST
Tags: #Maha: Sanjay Raut sparks controversy with Vijay Mallya not fugitive comment ahead of launch of his 17th book 'Bodh Kirtan'
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