Sena UBT MP Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar switches to Shinde’s camp, second rebel to do so

Rebel Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray or UBT) MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar on Sunday (June 21, 2026) claimed that he and other members of the party had "not gone anywhere" until June 18, but changed their mind after certain remarks were made against them, in an apparent reference to party leader Sanjay Raut.

Coming forward for the first time since rumours began circulating on 'Operation Tiger', the Hingoli MP confirmed that he had crossed over to the Shiv Sena, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

In a video clip posted on his social media handle, Mr. Ashtikar said he had not compromised on his ideology and had "just gone from one Shiv Sena to another".