Rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar to join Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena

In a significant setback for Shiv Sena UBT Lok Sabha MP Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar on Sunday announced that he will join the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath ShindeNimbalkar who is among the six Shiv Sena UBT MPs considered part of a dissident group within the party made the announcement after arriving in Dharashiv from Pune and interacting with his supportersThe move comes amid growing speculation over the future of several Shiv Sena UBT parliamentarians who have remained absent from recent party activities and meetingsDecision taken after discussions with supportersAddressing reporters Nimbalkar said the decision was made after consulting supporters and associatesToday after speaking with everyone we have decided that we will join Shiv Sena and work under the leadership of Eknath ShindePune Maharashtra Shiv Sena UBT MP Omraje Nimbalkar says Today after speaking with everyone we have decided that we will join Shiv Sena and work under the leadership of Eknath Shinde pictwittercomojG1o5VFVDmdash IANS ians_india June 21 2026The MP indicated that his decision was influenced by political and developmental considerations particularly the challenges of functioning as an Opposition representativeAccording to Nimbalkar the lack of representation in government had limited his ability to address local issues and fulfil the expectations of constituents over the past two yearsCites Opposition status and local body poll defeatExplaining the reasons behind his decision Nimbalkar referred to the partys performance in local body elections and the difficulties faced while serving from the Opposition benchesWe lost because we were not in power As I am not part of the government I couldnt do much for the people in the last two years Considering these factors I have decided to join Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde He stood with us I have interacted with Shinde and CM FadnavisHis remarks suggest that access to government support and administrative machinery played a role in the decision to switch political allegianceThe development is expected to further strengthen the Shindeled Shiv Sena which has been seeking to expand its influence ahead of upcoming political contests in MaharashtraRaises issue linked to fathers murder caseNimbalkar also referred to the acquittal of former Maharashtra home minister Padamsinh Patil in the murder case of his father Pawanraje NimbalkarThe MP said he had raised the issue with senior leaders and sought intervention to ensure that the matter received a fair hearing through legal channelsThey Shinde and Fadnavis made me speak with Union Home Minister Amit Shah I requested him to do justice for us Later Shinde also said that the CBI will file an appeal We dont want a favour but I have demanded that the verdict should be based on merit he told reportersRebel MPs absence fuelled speculationNimbalkars announcement comes days after six Shiv Sena UBT MPs skipped the partys parliamentary meeting in New Delhi on June 17 intensifying speculation about a possible split within the parliamentary wingThe MPs who remained absent were Sanjay Dina Patil Sanjay Deshmukh Sanjay Jadhav Bhausaheb Wakchaure Nagesh PatilAshtikar and Omprakash Raje NimbalkarTheir absence triggered political discussions over a possible realignment in Maharashtra politics particularly after several leaders were seen interacting with senior figures in the ruling allianceShiv Sena UBT currently has nine members in the Lok Sabha Under the antidefection law at least six MPs mdash twothirds of the partys parliamentary strength mdash would be required for a split group to avoid disqualificationWith Nimbalkar publicly confirming his decision to join the Shindeled Shiv Sena attention is now focused on whether the remaining dissident MPs will follow suit in the coming days