Maharashtra Shiv Sena split deepens as MP Omraje Nimbalkar joins Shinde faction

MP Omraje Nimbalkar, elected from Dharashiv, announced on 21 June 2026 his formal move to the faction led by Eknath Shinde, effectively joining Shinde Shiv Sena. He said that aligning with the ruling side is necessary for development and criticized repeated losses in local body elections and the lack of influence under Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership.

Uddhav Thackeray responded by condemning the defection, calling his own organisation the “real Shiv Sena” and accusing the BJP of trying to weaken the party. He warned that the shift could affect the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, noting that anti‑defection law would require at least two‑thirds of the party’s nine MPs to avoid disqualification. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis mocked the episode, referring to it as “Operation Tiger” and urging Thackeray to reflect on the situation.