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Dharashiv MP Omprakash alias Omraje Nimbalkar and Hingoli MP Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar confirmed that they will join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Dharashiv MP Omprakash alias Omraje Nimbalkar and Hingoli MP Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar.
The political landscape in Maharashtra is witnessing a massive shake-up as two Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs confirmed that they are joining the Eknath Shinde-led faction, giving fresh momentum to the three-month-long ‘Operation Tiger’ aimed at splitting Uddhav Thackeray’s party.
Dharashiv MP Omprakash alias Omraje Nimbalkar and Hingoli MP Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar on Sunday announced their decisions to join the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also declared that ‘Operation Tiger’ was successful, hinting at more defections from the Uddhav camp.
Shinde suggested that more leaders from the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction could switch sides. “Soon you will get breaking news,” Shinde said, referring to Dharashiv MP Omraje Nimbalkar’s decision to join his faction.
‘No Point Staying Here’
In a video clip posted on his social media handle, Ashtikar said he has not compromised on his ideology and “has just gone from one Shiv Sena to another”. He also cited the lack of development funds and other disadvantages of being in opposition, such as the inability to get party activists’ work done.
“I, and some other MPs (of Sena-UBT), had not made any decision until June 18. We had not gone anywhere. However, certain remarks were made against us since Thursday, which made us believe that there is no point in staying here (Sena-UBT),” he said.
ALSO READ: Shinde Teases ‘Breaking News’, Fadnavis Says ‘Operation Successful’ As Nimbalkar Joins Sena | Watch
However, Ashtikar clarified that he was not upset with Uddhav Thackeray or party leader Sanjay Raut, who used cuss words against the rebel MPs recently. He also insisted that he had no other option, adding that some people upset with him will eventually understand his position.
Meanwhile, Nimbalkar said he decided to join the Shinde-led Shiv Sena after consultations with supporters and local party workers. “We have decided to join Shiv Sena and will work under the leadership of Eknath Shinde,” he said.
One of his supporters told news agency PTI that Uddhav Thackeray did nothing for the workers of the Sena (UBT) in the recent local body elections. “Our party workers were defeated. They have incurred debt due to poll spending.”
More Defections On The Cards
Shinde and Fadnavis have hinted at more defections, which may include Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav and Bhausaheb Wakchaure, who are among the six rebel MPs who skipped a parliamentary party meeting in Delhi last week, fuelling speculation of the split.
Rumours of ‘Operation Tiger’ made headlines in recent weeks and were seen as an effort by the Shinde camp to engineer fresh defections from Shiv Sena (UBT), four years after the 2022 rebellion led by Shinde split the party and toppled the Maha Vikas Aghadi government headed by Uddhav Thackeray.
“The operation is successful…everything is intact,” said Fadnavis, who engineered the 2022 split in the undivided Shiv Sena.
Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray adopted a defiant stance to the defections, asserting that he is leading the original Shiv Sena. Thackeray said he was not demoralised by the rebellion and apologised to people for fielding these candidates.
About the Author
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int…Read More
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