Could not get justice for my father, feel like giving up politics, says Shiv Sena (UBT) MP at centre of defection storm

5 min readPuneUpdated: Jun 21, 2026 07:35 AM IST

Omraje Nimbalkar is among the six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs who skipped the party's parliamentary meeting in Delhi. (Photo Credit: Facebook @omprakashrajenimbalkar)

After a sessions court in Mumbai acquitted all the accused in his father Pawanraje Nimbalkar’s murder case, Dharashiv MP Omraje Nimbalkar, who is facing severe criticism from Shiv Sena (UBT) workers in the district, said he will take a decision on whether to leave the party after discussing the matter with people in his constituency.

In the same breath, he said he does not feel like continuing in politics.

”I will take the decision (on quitting Uddhav Sena) after discussing it with the people of my constituency,” Omraje told The Indian Express on Friday.

As an MP, Omraje said that when he cannot secure justice for his father, there is no point in continuing in politics. ”Honestly, I feel like giving up politics. Even in 20 years, I could not get justice for my father. What is the use of staying in politics?” the MP pondered.

Omraje said he had entered politics with the sole objective of getting justice for his father. “I had only one intention when getting into politics and that was to get justice for my father. But now I have lost all interest. I am frustrated, I feel helpless, and I don’t feel like carrying on further in this field,” he said.

When asked whether he had received a call from Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray after the verdict, Omraje replied, “No, I didn’t get his call, but Sena leaders had tried to get in touch with me.”

Omraje said Uddhav Thackeray had always helped him. “I have nothing against Uddhavji. He has always helped me. I am not angry with him,” he said.

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He lamented the fact that a section of the media was reporting that he had criticised Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aaditya Thackeray.

“False news is being spread that I criticised Uddhav Thackeray and Aaditya. I have never done that and will never do that,” he claimed.

Omraje’s father, Pawanraje Nimbalkar, a Congress leader from Dharashiv, and his driver, Samad Kazi, were shot dead on June 3, 2006, in Navi Mumbai’s Kalamboli. Padamsinh Patil, the brother of Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar and a former Maharashtra minister, was arrested along with eight others in the case.

Asked whether he would have a change of mind in view of the backlash from people in Dharashiv, Omraje reiterated that he would discuss the issue with people in his constituency on Sunday and then take a decision.

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After he had remained out of reach and then skipped the Sena (UBT)’s parliamentary party meeting in Delhi earlier this week, backlash against Omraje reached a crescendo as it looked increasingly likely that he would be one of the six MPs — alongside Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Sanjay Jadhav and Bhausaheb Wakchaure — who were rumoured to be heading towards the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde.

Several memes about his fickle loyalty have cropped up on the internet. In Dharashiv district, party workers belonging to Uddhav Sena have decided to hold a protest outside Omraje’s residence once he returns from Mumbai.

Till the last minute, the Uddhav Sena was expecting that Omraje would not desert the party. The party said Omraje had been a loyalist to the party and its chief for years and did not leave even when Deputy CM Eknath Shinde took away three-fourths of the MLAs and MPs during the split in the undivided Shiv Sena in 2022.

“We are hoping that Omraje will not go. And that he will remain with the party,” Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare had said just a few hours before the crucial parliamentary meeting.

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Omraje, who has spent his entire political career with the Shiv Sena, was first elected as an MLA from Osmanabad (later renamed Dharashiv) in 2009. He, however, lost the election to NCP’s Ranajagjitsinha Patil, son of Padamsinh, in 2014. Omraje subsequently became an MP twice, in 2019 and 2024. The party banked heavily on him, especially in Marathwada, where he was a popular figure.

However, as it increasingly became clear that Omraje might leave the party, Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said it was possible that Omraje had been promised a favourable verdict in his father’s murder case. “And therefore he has decided to dump the party which made him an MLA and MP,” he said.

Raut said Omraje was a key figure for the party in Marathwada. “His loyalty to the party has helped the Sena remain rooted in the Marathwada region despite the split,” he said.

Sena sources said the party is still hoping that Omraje will have a change of mind and reverse his decision.

© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis.

Professional Legacy

Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles.

Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change.

Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities.

Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees.

Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment.

Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)

Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area:

1. Political Shifts & Alliances

"Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala.

"BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls.

"Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections.

"NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections.

2. Civic & Administrative Accountability

"PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions.

"93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads.

3. Social & Labor Issues

"As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra.

"Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse.

Signature Beat

Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport.

X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

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