MOHAMMAD ZIYAUDDIN
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Mumbai: The Shiv Sena (UBT) has officially staked claim to the Leader of Opposition (LoP) post in the Maharashtra Assembly and nominated senior MLA Bhaskar Jadhav for the prestigious position, party chief Uddhav Thackeray announced on Tuesday.
A formal letter regarding the nomination was submitted to Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar by the party leadership.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Confident of Positive Decision
Speaking on the development, Bhaskar Jadhav said, “We have given a letter to the Speaker regarding the LoP post. We are confident that a decision will be taken considering democratic values.”
He further urged that the decision should be made before the upcoming budget session to ensure a smooth functioning of the opposition in the assembly.
Who is Bhaskar Jadhav?
Jadhav, a seasoned politician, represents the Guhagar constituency. He has had a dynamic political career:
- Originally with the Shiv Sena in the 1990s, he later moved to the NCP.
- In 2019, he rejoined Shiv Sena and has been a key party leader since.
No Rotation for LoP Post, Says Thackeray
Uddhav Thackeray dismissed any possibility of rotation for the LoP post, rejecting the demand made by the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) on Monday for a rotational system.
While the Shiv Sena (UBT) has 20 MLAs, it is followed by:
- Congress with 16 MLAs
- NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) with 10 MLAs
So far, no other party has formally staked a claim for the Leader of Opposition position.
LoP Post and the 10% Seat Criteria Debate
Traditionally, an opposition party needs 10% of the total assembly seats (which equals 28) to claim the LoP post. However, Bhaskar Jadhav challenged this, stating:
“There is no such law or constitutional provision mandating the 10% rule.”
This statement hints at a potential debate over the eligibility criteria, as the Shiv Sena (UBT) does not meet the 28-seat requirement but still believes it has the right to claim the LoP post based on political precedents.
What’s Next?
Now, the ball is in Speaker Rahul Narwekar’s court. The decision on Maharashtra’s Leader of Opposition is expected soon, shaping the opposition’s role ahead of the crucial budget session.
