Shiv Sena (UBT) is hopeful that Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar, the MP from Osmanabad (Dharashiv), may rejoin the party amid a rebellion within its Lok Sabha ranks, party sources told PTI on Saturday. The optimism persists even as none of the six dissident MPs have responded to show-cause notices issued on June 18 for missing a parliamentary party meeting in Delhi.
Party Sources Express Optimism
A senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, "Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar is on his way back (from the rebel camp)." However, Nimbalkar has not publicly clarified his position. He was among the six MPs who stayed away from the June 17 meeting convened by the Uddhav Thackeray-led party. With Shiv Sena (UBT) holding nine seats in the Lok Sabha, the rebel faction requires the support of at least six MPs—two-thirds of the parliamentary party—to avoid attracting provisions of the anti-defection law.
Court Verdict Adds to Uncertainty
The political uncertainty surrounding Nimbalkar deepened after a special court on Saturday acquitted former NCP minister Padamsinh Patil and seven others in the 2006 murder case of Nimbalkar's father, Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar. Reacting to the verdict, Nimbalkar said he would decide his political course within the next two days after consulting people from his constituency. He emphasized, "I have never spoken against Uddhav Thackeray or Aaditya Thackeray, and I will not do so in future either." Expressing disappointment, he added, "Good people, who live and behave correctly, face disappointment. This is Kalyug."
Allegations of Pressure
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Desai commented that those who had waited two decades for justice would now understand "who is on their side and who is bogus." Earlier this week, party leader Sanjay Raut alleged that attempts were being made to pressure MPs into defecting through both legal and psychological means. He claimed that Nimbalkar was promised a favourable outcome in his father's murder case if he switched allegiance, pointing to the verdict being deferred from Wednesday to Saturday as part of his allegation. Nimbalkar dismissed those claims.
Party's Next Steps
When asked whether the doors of Matoshri, the Thackeray family residence, would remain open to Nimbalkar, Desai said the decision would ultimately rest with Uddhav Thackeray. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant said the party had received no response from any of the six dissident MPs despite seeking replies within 24 hours of issuing the notices. The notices were served on June 18 after the MPs failed to attend the parliamentary party meeting despite a whip being issued. "We have not received any reply from them (rebel MPs)," Sawant told PTI. Sources said the party's next move could be to approach the Lok Sabha Speaker and seek the disqualification of the rebel MPs for allegedly defying the party whip.
