In ‘ghar wapsi’, Nimhan quits Cong, joins Shiv Sena as city unit chief

He had been a close associate of senior Congress leader Narayan Rane and followed him to the Congress after quitting the Shiv Sena. Ahead of the 2014 Assembly elections, there was speculation over Nimhan joining the BJP but local BJP leaders opposed any move of the party to induct him.

“I have served as a Shiv Sainik. I would work to strengthen the party,” Nimhan said after joining the Sena at a function in Mumbai.

The former legislator had been at loggerheads with various Congress leaders. He was among the first to criticise former MP Suresh Kalmadi after allegations of his involvement in irregularities in organising Common Wealth Games surfaced. He staked claim to the party ticket for Lok Sabha elections and was upset after he was denied ticket. There were complaints of him not working for the party candidate during Assembly elections.

His son Chandrashekhar Nimhan is a Congress corporator in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). “I am a Congress corporator and have not decided on leaving the party,” he said.

A senior Congress leader from the city said Nimhan never got accustomed to the Congress style of working. “Nimhan created problems within the party by openly rebelling against the senior party leaders. His leaving will have no impact on the Congress,” he said.