Omraje Nimbalkar: Rebel MP Explains Leaving Uddhav Thackeray For Eknath Shinde

In a significant political development that has sent ripples through the Maharashtra political landscape, rebel Member of Parliament Omraje Nimbalkar has finally broken his silence regarding his decision to leave the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). Nimbalkar, who represents the Dharashiv constituency, recently joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, marking a major blow to the Thackeray camp. His explanation for this shift centers on a deeply personal quest for justice and the broader goal of regional development for his constituency.

The Quest for Justice: A Personal Motivation

Addressing the media about his move, which has been discussed in the context of 'Operation Tiger', Omraje Nimbalkar revealed that his primary motivation was related to his late father, Pawanraje Nimbalkar. He stated that he received firm assurances from Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. According to Nimbalkar, they've promised that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will challenge the High Court's decision regarding his father's case. "My father Pawanraje Nimbalkar will get justice," he asserted, highlighting that this legal support was a decisive factor in his political realignment, while he emphasized that the pursuit of justice for his family outweighed other political considerations.

Responding to Allegations of Betrayal and Bribery

Nimbalkar also took the opportunity to address the harsh criticisms and allegations of being a "traitor" or taking money to switch sides. He dismissed these claims as baseless, stating that he's a small-scale party worker whose intentions aren't driven by financial gain. "If my motive was to make money, I would have left in 2022 itself. " he questioned. He invited critics to visit his assembly constituency and ask the local people about his character and work, while he further clarified that his decision to join the ruling side was purely for the sake of accelerating development projects in his region, which he felt were being hindered.

Clarification on MP Funds and Development

Amidst the ongoing discussions about his political stance, Nimbalkar provided a detailed clarification regarding the use of the Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) funds. He noted that the information circulating in the media regarding these funds wasn't entirely accurate. He explained that an MP receives approximately 25 crore rupees over a five-year term. During his 2019 to 2024 tenure, he claimed to have utilized 100 percent of the available funds. For his current term, he assured that the allocated funds would be used within the stipulated timeframe, while however, he pointed out that the development needs of his parliamentary constituency are vast, while the available funds are limited. He stated that it isn't possible to reach every booth and village with development work based solely on the MP fund. After discussions with his supporters and workers, he decided that working with the ruling party was necessary to speed up development and do justice to the voters.

The Mass Defection to Shinde's Shiv Sena

It's noteworthy that Omraje Nimbalkar is part of a larger group of 6 rebel MPs who have left Shiv Sena (UBT) to join Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena. Maharashtra Deputy CM and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde had announced this on June 22, stating that 6 MPs had joined their ranks. The list of MPs includes Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav, Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure, Omprakash Bhupalsingh Nimbalkar, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh, and Nagesh Bapurao Patil Ashtikar. During the announcement, Shinde made a pointed remark about the presence of multiple leaders named Sanjay in his camp. He mentioned that they now have three Sanjays among the MPs, plus MLA Sanjay Rathod. "When we've these Sanjays with us, there is no need to talk about any other Sanjay, and you know who I am talking about," Shinde remarked, taking a subtle dig at Sanjay Raut.