UNI

Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Apr 27: Shivaji Salunke, a prisoner serving life imprisonment at the open jail of Paithan in this district, has offered to donate his liver to BJP general secretary Pramod Mahajan, who is battling for his life at Mumbai's Hinduja Hospital with three bullets still embedded in his body, after being shot at by his youngest brother Pravin on April 22 morning.

One of the three bullets pumped in by Pravin from point blank range has severely damaged Mahajan's liver, and there have been reports that the BJP leader could undergo liver transplant. The world's leading liver transplant specialist, Dr Mohd Rela, from London, has been in Mumbai to examine him.

In an application to the jail authorities on April 24, Salunke expressed his desire to donate his liver to Mahajan.

According to the convict, the life of a politician like Pramod Mahajan is more important for society as well as the nation and, therefore, he felt it was appropriate for him to donate his liver to the BJP leader.

The prisoner made up his mind to donate his liver when Dr Rela had assessed Mahajan's condition. The jail authorities have confirmed the receipt of such an application from Salunkhe.