Acquittal of Sunetra Pawar's brother in murder case clears way for rebel MP's defection
The acquittal of former Maharashtra minister Padamsinh Patil, brother of Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, in a 2006 murder case has removed a key obstacle for rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Omraje Nimbalkar, who had linked his political future to the verdict.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special court on Saturday acquitted Patil and seven others in the killing of Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar, Omraje's father. Hours before the verdict, Omraje had stated he would decide on leaving the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction only after the judgment.
Nimbalkar is among six of the nine Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs expected to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, deepening the split in the party. With the verdict now delivered, political observers expect him to formally announce his defection.
Who is Omraje Nimbalkar?
A two-time MP from Dharashiv (formerly Osmanabad), Nimbalkar entered politics after his father's murder in 2006. The killing, linked to a bitter rivalry with cousin Padamsinh Patil, generated sympathy that helped him win an assembly seat in 2009 on a Shiv Sena ticket at age 26.
The CBI had alleged Patil saw Pawanraje's growing influence as a threat. Patil, a former NCP strongman, is also the brother of NCP chief Sunetra Pawar, while his son Rana Jagjitsinh Patil is a BJP MLA.
Reasons for rebellion
Nimbalkar had justified his potential switch by citing constituency needs and lack of support from the Uddhav Thackeray leadership. After the verdict in the murder case of my father is delivered, I will return to Dharashiv, discuss with party workers and then make a final decision,
he had said.
Explaining his frustration, he stated: The other side has power and money. I have only loyalty. But if, despite that loyalty, I am unable to get people’s work done, then how do I face them? How long can I continue going around empty handed? I had no other option.
He contrasted the Mahayuti alliance (BJP-Shinde Sena-NCP) with the Thackeray camp, noting that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde were actively campaigning and working on local issues, while Uddhav Thackeray's health limited his travel and his son Aaditya Thackeray did not sufficiently engage with workers.
Dismissing allegations of financial inducements, Nimbalkar said: For me, power and money have always been secondary. This decision is not about money. It is about development works in my constituency and meeting the expectations of my voters.
Uddhav's counter
At the party's diamond jubilee celebrations on June 16, Uddhav Thackeray indirectly criticised Nimbalkar, defending his leadership and rejecting claims of inaccessibility. He said, They say I don't meet people, but I have always been available for party workers.
The acquittal has now cleared the political uncertainty surrounding Nimbalkar's decision, with all eyes on whether he and other rebel MPs will formally break ranks with the Uddhav-led Sena.
