Omraje Nimbalkar to decide on joining Shinde Sena within two days

Dharashiv MP Omraje Nimbalkar announced on Saturday that he will decide whether to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena within two days, following consultations with his supporters in his constituency. The announcement follows Nimbalkar skipping a crucial Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentary meeting in Delhi.

Nimbalkar's potential political realignment comes immediately after a special CBI court acquitted eight accused, including former NCP minister Padmasinh Patil, in the 2006 murder case of his father, Pawanraje Nimbalkar, and his driver.

While Nimbalkar clarified that the court's verdict and his decision to join the Shinde-led Sena are not directly connected, he acknowledged that the judgment was crucial for him. He stated that he would return to his constituency before making any final decision.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and chief whip Anil Desai suggested that the court verdict has impacted Nimbalkar's political stance. Desai noted that the murder case had been the biggest struggle of Nimbalkar's life for nearly 20 years, during which he had complete faith in promises made to him, which now appears to be broken.

Desai also criticized Nimbalkar for violating party discipline by boycotting the parliamentary meeting in Delhi. He added that if Nimbalkar wishes to remain with the Shiv Sena (UBT), party president Uddhav Thackeray will make the final decision.

In a related development, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Kailas Patil, a close associate of Nimbalkar, visited Matoshree to meet with Thackeray.

The decision of the six MPs who skipped the meeting, including Nimbalkar, remains critical. If Nimbalkar decides not to switch sides, the rebel group of six MPs may fail to meet the two-thirds requirement needed to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law.