MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday confirmed at a major political development involving Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Omraje Nimbalkar, saying “the operation is successful”, and added deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde will deliver “breaking news” soon.Nimbalkar confirmed the exit. The remarks came amid speculation that Nimbalkar, one of six Sena (UBT) MPs who skipped the party’s parliamentary meeting in Delhi, could join the Shinde-led Shiv Sena.Nimbalkar on Sunday held discussions with supporters at his residence in Dharashiv to decide his future political course. He arrived from Pune in the afternoon under Y Plus security cover.“I am meeting my supporters at my residence here. Not through social media, but people have seen how I work for them with dedication. Even a cattle grazer has my mobile phone number,” Nimbalkar said.He said he would reveal his decision after discussions with people and party office-bearers.“I will not comment on Uddhav Thackeray or Aditya Thackeray. Leaders from both parties are meeting me,” he said.Nimbalkar also said he had never spoken against Uddhav Thackeray or Aaditya Thackeray and would not do so in the future.The speculation comes days after a special court acquitted former NCP minister Padamsinh Patil and seven others in the 2006 murder case of Nimbalkar’s father and Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar.Reacting to the verdict, Omraje said he would approach the high court.“I will approach the high court seeking justice against the court verdict in my father’s murder case. I will challenge the verdict delivered in my father’s murder case,” he said.The Sena (UBT) has been attempting to stop the possible defection. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs Kailas Patil and Varun Sardesai met Nimbalkar at his Pune residence early Sunday.“We had talks with Omraje. We conveyed Uddhav Saheb’s message. We are confident Omraje will stay with us,” Patil said.The possible shift has triggered concerns within the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, which currently has nine Lok Sabha MPs. Six MPs would be required to form a two-thirds split and avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law.The other MPs facing speculation include Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure and Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar.Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut had alleged that “legal and psychological pressure” was being used to force MPs to switch sides. He also claimed Nimbalkar was offered a favourable outcome in his father’s murder case if he defected.Nimbalkar had rejected the claim.The party had issued show-cause notices to the six MPs for skipping the parliamentary meeting. Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant said no reply had been received from them.
