MUMBAI: Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction (UBT) Lok Sabha MP Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar, one of the six dissidents, on Sunday said he would decide his future political course only after consulting the people of his constituency.Nimbalkar left for his constituency Dharashiv (Osmanabad ) from Pune on Sunday, amid heavy police deployment outside his residence in the Baner area. He was escorted to Dharashiv with ‘Y-Plus’ security, news agency PTI reported.Police have provided ‘Y-Plus’ security cover to six ‘rebel’ Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs in Maharashtra with immediate effect, following threats issued by a section of party leaders and workers over their alleged plans to switch sides.The six MPs, namely Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar and Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar, had skipped the Sena (UBT) parliamentary party meeting in Delhi on Wednesday.The move soon triggered speculation that the MPs could join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.The Sena (UBT) currently has nine Lok Sabha members. Under the anti-defection law, the dissident group would require the support of at least six MPs, two-thirds of the party’s strength, to avoid disqualification.Reacting to the recent stir, Nimbalkar said, “I will hold a meeting today at 4pm with people and party office-bearers at Govardhanwadi in my constituency and clarify my political stand. After speaking with the people, I will clearly explain my future political direction.”On Saturday, a special court acquitted former NCP minister Padamsinh Patil and seven others in the 2006 murder case of Nimbalkar’s father, Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar.Reacting to the verdict, the MP said, “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 had earlier said, “Good people, who live and behave correctly, face disappointment. This is Kalyug,” expressing disappointment over the trial court’s decision.Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs Kailas Patil and Varun Sardesai visited Nimbalkar’s residence in Pune in the early hours of Sunday. After the meeting, Kailas Patil said, “We had talks with Omraje. We conveyed to him the message of Uddhav Saheb. We are confident Omraje will stay with us.”Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray extended an olive branch to the dissident MPs, saying that those wishing to return were welcome as party chief Uddhav Thackeray has a large heart. However, he warned that action would be taken against those who went against the party.Aaditya further said there had been no contact with Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar.Meanwhile, Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut alleged that legal and psychological pressure was being exerted to force party MPs to defect.He also claimed that Nimbalkar was offered a favourable outcome in the 20-year-old murder case of his father in exchange for switching sides. Nimbalkar, however, has dismissed the allegation.The party reportedy had issued a show-cause notice to the six MPs on Thursday for skipping the parliamentary party meeting. The action sought responses within 24 hours. “We have not received any reply from them (rebel MPs),” MP Arvind Sawant said.Sources said the party’s next possible step would be to approach the Lok Sabha Speaker, seeking the disqualification of the MPs for “defying the whip”.(With agency inputs)
