Uddhav Thackeray's Faction to Assert Claim for LoP Role in Maharashtra Assembly
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Synopsis
The Shiv Sena UBT will assert its claim for the Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly, as decided in a meeting by Uddhav Thackeray. This move occurs ahead of the upcoming budget session starting March 3.
Key Takeaways
- The Shiv Sena UBT has 20 legislators.
- Uddhav Thackeray led the meeting to discuss the Leader of the Opposition claim.
- The budget session begins on March 3.
- Party insiders cite potential candidates for the position.
- Speaker Rahul Narwekar will review the claim based on legislative rules.
Mumbai, March 1 (NationPress) The Shiv Sena UBT, comprising 20 legislators, is set to assert its claim for the Leader of the Opposition position in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. This decision was made during a meeting called by party leader Uddhav Thackeray on Friday and Saturday.
The Thackeray camp’s initiative comes just ahead of the budget session of the state legislature, which will commence on March 3 in Mumbai. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut confirmed the party's intent to claim the Leader of the Opposition role, stating, “Even if our party's numbers are few, there’s no law or constitutional provision that prevents the Assembly from functioning without a Leader of the Opposition.”
Ambadas Danve, the Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, reaffirmed the party’s decision to officially claim the Leader of the Opposition's position, indicating that Uddhav Thackeray will soon disclose the party's stance on this matter.
Insiders within the party have mentioned that former ministers Aaditya Thackeray, Bhaskar Jadhav, and chief whip Sunil Prabhu are potential candidates for the Leader of the Opposition role.
The Shiv Sena UBT, part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, had not put forth its claim for the Leader of Opposition position during the winter session of the state legislature in December in Nagpur, despite discussions with its allies. The Congress holds 16 seats and the NCP-SP alliance has 10, both of which are said to be inclined to support the Shiv Sena in this matter.
Nonetheless, Sanjay Shirsat, a Shiv Sena minister, remarked, “The opposition lacks the necessary numbers, hence the uncertainty surrounding the Leader of the Opposition position will persist in this session.”
“Are they aware of the numerical requirements? How many are needed for the Leader of the Opposition role? It is not solely about having the numbers. No party within the Maha Vikas Aghadi possesses the requisite strength. The decision authority rests with the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly; what they decide is another topic. Legally, the current reality is that the Leader of the Opposition cannot come from any opposition party in the Assembly,” explained Shirsat.
“While the Thackeray faction has expressed intentions to claim the Leader of the Opposition role, it appears unlikely that the other parties within the Maha Vikas Aghadi will back them. No party in the coalition has indicated support for them. Consequently, the uncertainty regarding the Leader of the Opposition position will remain throughout this session,” asserted Shirsat.
According to sources within the state legislative secretariat, Speaker Rahul Narwekar will make a decision regarding the Thackeray camp’s claim after reviewing the relevant legislative norms and regulations.
