Dissident Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar on Sunday announced that he has joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena party. He is the latest Lok Sabha member from the Uddhav Thackeray camp to change sides amid growing rebellion within the party, PTI reported.
Nimbalkar’s intersection comes soon after Hingoli MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar confirmed his move to the ruling Shiv Sena faction, citing lack of development funds and statements made against dissident MPs as the main reasons behind the decision, HT had earlier reported.
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The current scene shows an ongoing revolt within the Sena (UBT), days after six party MPs skipped the party’s parliamentary meeting in Delhi. This led to speculation that they were preparing to switch their allegiance to the Shinde camp.
The dissident MPs remained non-committal till June 18, but the political situation escalated after sharp statements against them by Sena leaders (UBT). Party MP Ishtekar had earlier said that comments directed at the rebel MPs had convinced them that there was “no point” in remaining in the party, PTI reported.
Numbers game
Nimbalkar’s decision strengthens the position of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and increases the uncertainty surrounding the future of the remaining dissident MPs.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led party currently has nine members in the Lok Sabha. Under anti-defection provisions, at least six MPs will have to move together to avoid disqualification.
Earlier, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut launched sharp attacks on dissenters and warned of consequences for those who leave the party.
