(From left) NCP’s Ajit Pawar, BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai | X (@ANI)
The Mahayuti government all set to take advantage of the weak opposition through a game of cat and mouse. While the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) attempts to press the government for the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) position, the ruling side could deepen divisions by denying the post to the Shiv Sena (UBT) if the MVA fails to unanimously elect a single leader.
Such a possibility can not be ruled out when no particular party has 29 members – 10% of the total strength of the 288-member house, sources say. In this scenario, the MVA has to pick up one leader to assume the role.
When the MVA is asking for an important position considering the total strength of the alliance, the ruling side can ensure that the post is not given to the Shiv Sena in particular and it is well within the rights of the Speaker of the Assembly.
In the MVA, Shiv Sena (UBT) is the largest party with 20 MLAs, followed by the Congress with 16. Shiv Sena UBT leader Bhaskar Jadhav stated that their claim to the position of LoP is based on their higher number of MLAs.
When asked about this, Congress state president Nana Patole replied, “We will decide collectively which party will have the Leader of the Opposition through consensus.”
The MVA has demanded the posts of the Deputy Speaker and the Leader of the Opposition. However, it has not been made in writing due to the absence of a consensus. Jadhav and Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar had discussions with Speaker Rahul Narwekar and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the issue on Tuesday.
The Mahayuti may not take a decision on such an issue until the elections to the BMC and other civic bodies are held. The government may not want to strengthen the UBT by conceding to such an important position that enjoys the status of shadow CM, said a leader.
