Eknath Shinde Led-Shiv Sena Gains Sixth MP as Omraje Nimbalkar Confirms Exit From Uddhav Thackeray Faction

In a major political blow to the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction, Member of Parliament from Osmanabad, Omraje Nimbalkar, on Sunday confirmed his decision to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Nimbalkar’s crossover marks a critical turning point in the ongoing internal party friction, making him the sixth parliamentarian to officially align with the ruling Shinde faction and leaving the opposition group on the brink of a major legislative collapse.

The Push for Development Funds

Announcing his decision following extensive consultations with local party workers and supporters, Nimbalkar cited a lack of development funds as a primary catalyst for his exit. He stated that the continuous electoral setbacks in local body polls across Dharashiv and the inability to align with the state's ruling coalition had severely hindered critical development work in his constituency. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Rajabhau Waje Says 'did Not Rebel' Amid Buzz over MPs' Loyalties.

Rebel Hingoli MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar echoed these sentiments in a social media video. Ashtikar emphasized that the limited ₹5 crore Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) fund was grossly insufficient to meet constituency demands without additional government backing.

The Fallout of ‘Operation Tiger’

The mass defection is also being linked to intense internal rhetorical friction within the Thackeray camp. According to Ashtikar, a group of dissident MPs had not finalized any plans to leave until June 18. However, sharp warnings and aggressive public remarks made by senior UBT leader Sanjay Raut ultimately altered their stance.

Raut had previously issued a strong warning, hinting that rebel MPs would face backlash from grassroots Shiv Sena workers under what was dubbed "Operation Tudwa." Ashtikar noted that while Raut holds a senior, fatherly figure status within the movement, the harsh language made it clear that "there was no point in staying" within the UBT faction. We Will Begin 'Operation Tudwa': Sanjay Raut Warns Rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs Amid Fresh Defection Buzz in Maharashtra.

Bypassing the Anti-Defection Law

The coordinated nature of the exits became evident earlier in the week when six Lok Sabha members skipped a crucial UBT parliamentary party meeting held in Delhi on June 17. The missing lawmakers included Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar, and Omraje Nimbalkar.

Out of the nine total Lok Sabha members originally belonging to the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, the departure of these six MPs fulfills the two-thirds threshold required under India’s anti-defection law. This legal buffer allows the dissident lawmakers to merge with the Shinde faction smoothly without facing disqualification from Parliament. Both Nimbalkar and Ashtikar have maintained that they have not compromised on their core political ideology, framing the shift as moving "from one Shiv Sena to another."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 21, 2026 10:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).