Omraje Nimbalkar Joins Shinde Camp, Second Sena UBT MP to Defect

In a significant political development in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar formally announced his defection to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Sunday, June 21, 2026. This move marks Nimbalkar, the Member of Parliament from Dharashiv (formerly Osmanabad) constituency, as the second lawmaker from the Uddhav Thackeray faction to publicly confirm switching allegiance, further deepening the rift within the Shiv Sena. The first Shiv Sena (UBT) MP to publicly declare his crossover to the ruling Shiv Sena faction was Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, the Hingoli MP. Ashtikar cited a lack of development funds for his constituency and alleged critical remarks made against dissident MPs as reasons for his decision. Nimbalkar's announcement followed shortly after Ashtikar's, confirming the ongoing political upheaval. This series of defections is part of a larger, well-orchestrated effort reportedly codenamed 'Operation Tiger,' aimed at splitting the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s parliamentary wing. Speculation about the impending exodus intensified after six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs, including Nimbalkar, Ashtikar, Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani), Bhausaheb Wakchaure (Shirdi), Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal-Washim), and Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai North East), conspicuously skipped a crucial parliamentary party meeting convened by the Uddhav Thackeray camp in New Delhi on June 17, 2026. To avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law (Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution), at least two-thirds of the parliamentary party, which translates to six out of the nine Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs, need to switch sides. A significant backdrop to Nimbalkar's defection is the recent verdict in his father, Pawanraje Nimbalkar's, 2006 murder case. On Saturday, June 20, 2026, a special CBI court in Mumbai acquitted all eight accused, including former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Padamsinh Patil, who is also related to the Nimbalkar family. The court stated that the prosecution failed to establish the chain of conspiracy. Omraje Nimbalkar, expressing profound disappointment with the verdict, questioned who truly killed his father if all accused were acquitted, labeling it 'Kalyug' (the age of vice) and vowing to challenge the decision in the Bombay High Court. Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut had earlier made serious allegations, claiming that Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar was lured with a "favourable verdict" in his father's murder case to switch to the Shinde camp. Raut even suggested that the rescheduling of the verdict from May 14 to June 16, and then to June 20, was indicative of such pressure. However, Nimbalkar himself dismissed these allegations. After the acquittal, he disclosed that he had discussed his father's case with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting justice based on merit, and that Shinde assured him the CBI would file an appeal. In explaining his decision, Nimbalkar cited practical difficulties, including the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s defeat in local body elections and his inability to effectively serve his constituents or undertake development work due to being in the opposition. He stated that he had interacted with CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis. This echoes Ashtikar's reasons for defection, highlighting a common concern among the rebel MPs regarding lack of development funds and being in the opposition. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has been scrambling to avert the split. The party had issued show-cause notices to the six absent MPs, including Nimbalkar, on June 18, demanding explanations within 24 hours. However, no replies were received from the rebel MPs, prompting the Sena (UBT) to consider initiating legal proceedings under the anti-defection law to seek their disqualification. Despite these attempts, the Shinde camp has celebrated the defections, with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis declaring 'Operation Tiger' successful. The crossover of these MPs represents a significant blow to the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the broader INDIA bloc in Maharashtra, potentially reshaping the political dynamics ahead of future elections. The development raises questions about political loyalty, the impact of legal cases on political decisions, and the stability of alliances in the state. Many of these MPs had campaigned fiercely on a platform of loyalty to Uddhav Thackeray in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, making their current defections particularly contentious.

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