Shiv Sena UBT MP Omraje Nimbalkar cites lack of funds, hints at leaving party
Lok Sabha MP Omraje Nimbalkar, representing Shiv Sena (UBT) from Dharashiv, has spoken publicly for the first time amid speculation that he is part of a group of six MPs planning to break away. In an interview with The Hindu, the MP expressed frustration over the lack of party funds and said he felt he had no other option.
Nimbalkar stated that he would announce his decision on Sunday or Monday after consulting constituents. He denied plans to meet Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The MP said his future course of action would not depend on the upcoming court verdict in his father's murder case, but he awaited the judgment.
A special CBI court in Mumbai is scheduled to pronounce judgment on Saturday in the 2006 murder of Nimbalkar's father, Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar. The trial, lasting 15 years, involves allegations of a contract killing conspiracy against former NCP MP Padamsinh Patil, the victim's cousin. Padamsinh Patil is the elder brother of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar.
When asked about a possible switch, Nimbalkar said, 'No. I am waiting for the verdict, but my decision will not depend on that. After the court decision, I will go to my constituency, talk to my people.'
Nimbalkar emphasised that functioning effectively within the party has become difficult due to lack of funds. 'We could not win any nagar panchayat or nagar samiti elections. Don't even ask about Zilla Parishad. In Dharashiv, my candidate was relegated to the third position. After being available for the people in the constituency, after working for them for 24 hours, if this is what people want, then they want only those who are in power,' he said.
Addressing concerns about backlash, he said, 'There is no fear of backlash. I will go to my own people. I feel bad that I don't get funds for the development of my own people. I can't get a road done in my farmer's village... For how long can we sustain like this? What alternative am I left with?'
Nimbalkar noted that he had been in opposition before but never faced such a blockade of funds. 'Throughout my political career, I have been in opposition earlier, too. But it has never been so bad! Nobody had completely blocked our funds this way,' he added.
