Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Omprakash Rajenimbalkar is facing mounting criticism on social media amid speculation that he might join the Shiv Sena faction led by deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde. Over the past two days, thousands of his online followers have reportedly unfollowed his social media accounts, reflecting growing anger among party supporters.
Strong Digital Presence
Rajenimbalkar, who has a strong digital presence, enjoys a significant following — around 6.08 lakh on Facebook, 5.64 lakh on Instagram, 1.36 lakh subscribers on YouTube and nearly 29,900 followers on X. Reports of a possible shift away from the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction have, however, triggered backlash online. Party workers said nearly 20,000 users have unfollowed his Instagram account and around 6,000 have unfollowed his Facebook page.
Political Dilemma
Addressing speculation about a possible switch, Rajenimbalkar admitted he was facing a dilemma. “Emotionally, leaving the party feels wrong, but politically it seems like the right decision,” he said, citing challenges faced by his supporters in winning local body elections and expressing concern that this could affect their long-term political relevance.
He also highlighted difficulties in securing development projects, such as roads, bridges and electricity infrastructure, despite repeated efforts, attributing this to lack of power and funding. He denied allegations that he had been offered large sums of money or Y-plus security in exchange for switching sides, saying any decision would be based solely on the development needs of his constituency. He also claimed that many of his workers are urging him to join the ruling alliance.
Clarification on Murder Case
Rajenimbalkar clarified that the current political developments should not be linked to the impending court verdict in the murder case of his father, Pawanraje Nimbalkar, and driver Samad Kazi, which was expected on Saturday. He said he would discuss the situation with party workers after the verdict and make a final decision on his political future thereafter.
Grassroots Leader
During the Lok Sabha election, Rajenimbalkar was projected as a grassroots leader accessible to the public. His hands-on approach during crises, such as personally participating in flood relief work, had earned him widespread goodwill, even among voters from rival parties.
Recent Praise for Mahayuti
For the past week, Rajenimbalkar has been in Pune and has publicly praised the Mahayuti government while hinting at dissatisfaction with the functioning of the Thackeray camp. He commended chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde for their accessibility and regular engagement with workers. Referring to Uddhav Thackeray, he said health issues might limit his public appearances, but suggested Aaditya Thackeray should take a more active role.
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