Day after murder acquittal, MP Omraje Nimbalkar quits Thackeray Sena, joins Shinde camp
Osmanabad MP Omraje Nimbalkar on Sunday switched allegiance from the Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray to the faction headed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The move came a day after a special CBI court acquitted all eight accused in the 2006 murder of his father, former Congress leader Pavanraje Nimbalkar.
Nimbalkar becomes the sixth Lok Sabha MP from the Thackeray faction to join the Shinde camp, giving the rebel group the numbers required to cross the two-thirds mark among the Sena (UBT)'s parliamentary members. His decision followed days of intense political negotiations, with both factions vying for his support.
Announcing his decision before supporters and party workers, Nimbalkar said the switch was driven by the need to secure development funds and complete pending works in his constituency. "In local body elections in Dharashiv, despite all our efforts, we could not win. We never lacked commitment or hard work, but being out of power affected our ability to help people," he said.
Nimbalkar dismissed suggestions that the move was motivated by personal gain or pressure. "I am not going with the ruling side for money or personal benefit... This decision is for development, and for that we need to be in power. We will now show how power can be used for the welfare of the people of Dharashiv," he said.
The MP said he had repeatedly faced difficulties in meeting constituents' expectations for basic infrastructure. "People come to their MP expecting solutions. They want transformers, roads and public works. For the last seven years, people have had huge expectations from me. I will continue to work honestly to fulfil those expectations," he added.
He said he would work under Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's leadership to push long-pending projects such as the Krishna-Marathwada irrigation scheme and several barrage works that have remained incomplete for years.
The timing of the defection drew attention as it came just after the acquittal in his father's murder case. On Saturday, the court acquitted all eight accused, including former minister Padamsinh Patil. Nimbalkar expressed disappointment over the verdict and said he had spoken to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Shinde, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The state government subsequently announced that the CBI would challenge the acquittal before the Bombay High Court.
Despite joining the rival camp, Nimbalkar refrained from attacking the Thackeray family. "I have received immense affection, blessings and support from Uddhavji, Aadityaji and everyone in the Thackeray family. I have never spoken a bad word about anyone and never will," he said. He also appealed to his supporters not to target his former party leadership, saying, "I have told all my workers that not a single disrespectful word should be spoken about Matoshree. No one should make any objectionable comments."
