Mumbai: In what could be called a major shift of nature in Maharashtra politics, Shiv Sena is all set to sit in the Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly. It comes after Sena failed to negotiate terms on important portfolios with BJP.
The party, which won 63 seats after calling off its 25-year-old alliance with the BJP in the state just a few days before the elections, was left with no option after the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) reiterated its stand to support the BJP-led government.
Thane MLA Eknath Shinde will be the Leader of opposition, Shiv Sena said. On Congress’s stand of staking claim to opposition leader post in Assembly, Sena said, “Congress can day dream that will get the opposition leaders post. Norms dictate that it has to be the largest party in the opposition. We haven’t made up our mind yet.”
Congress’s decision to stake claim for the opposition leader’s post left the Shiv Sena with almost no option.
As the three-day special session of Maharashtra Assembly began on Monday, all 63 Shiv Sena MLAs made a dramatic entrance into the Assembly. Sena MLAs entered into the Assembly accompanied by beating drums and wearing orange turbans.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will have to prove its majority in the House on November 12.
State Congress chief Manickrao Thakre said, “Shiv Sena cannot claim opposition leaders post since it has not made it clear if it will go with BJP or not. Shiv Sena will have to make it clear soon where it stands. The NCP has already declared it will support BJP from outside, so it can’t be part of opposition.”
The newly elected Assembly members will elect a pro tem speaker. State Governor C Vidyasagar Rao will administer oath to Jeeva Pandu Gavit as pro-tem Speaker of the Assembly in Raj Bhavan, an official said.
The first two days will see the members of the 13th Assembly take oath. On November 12, the Speaker will be elected after which Fadnavis will move a trust vote. The session will conclude with the Governor’s address to legislators.