Pune: Uddhav Thackeray’s party is trying to convince Osmanabad MP Omprakash Rajenimbalkar and Mumbai North-East MP Sanjay Dina Patil to stay with the party. They were among the six MPs from Shiv Sena (UBT) who skipped the parliamentary meeting in New Delhi on Thursday. The others are Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Bhausaheb Wakchaure and Sanjay Jadhav.As per the Anti-Defection Law, if less than two-thirds of the MPs or MLAs of the party’s total strength in the house defect, they can be disqualified. Shiv Sena (UBT) at present has nine MPs and to avoid disqualification, the rebel group will have to defect with at least six MPs.Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said that the party will proceed with legal action against them. He claimed that Rajenimbalkar and Patil were not in Delhi and they have not yet made up their mind to leave.Therefore, according to Shiv Sena (UBT) functionaries, attempts are being made to convince some of the rebel MPs to change their minds, and the focus is on Rajenimbalkar and Sanjay Dina Patil. The party has given the task of convincing them to MLCs Sachin Ahir and Ambadas Danve.Speaking to TOI, Danve confirmed that attempts are being made to contact the rebel group. “Not all six MPs are being opportunistic about switching parties for personal gain. Mahayuti is compelling some to switch even if they are not mentally ready. We are trying to reach out to those MPs to convince them to remain with the party,” Danve added.According to close associates of Rajenimbalkar, he has been camping in Pune for the last few days. Shiv Sena (UBT)’s MLA from Osmanabad Kailas Patil, a close associate of Rajenimbalkar, travelled to Pune to convince the MP to remain with the party. “Our party chief told me to speak to Rajenimbalkar and convince him. I hope that the speculations about him leaving the party remain rumours,” Patil said.
