Uddhav Thackeray's Camp Proposes Bhaskar Jadhav for Assembly LoP Position
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Synopsis
Uddhav Thackeray, chief of Shiv Sena UBT, has nominated Bhaskar Jadhav for the Leader of the Opposition role in Maharashtra's Legislative Assembly. This decision follows a unanimous resolution by his party's legislators, emphasizing the importance of representation within the opposition.
Key Takeaways
- Uddhav Thackeray recommends Bhaskar Jadhav for LoP.
- Thackeray's letter to Speaker Rajesh Narwekar.
- Resolution passed by Shiv Sena UBT legislators.
- No rule mandates a minimum number of MLAs for LoP eligibility.
- Jadhav's extensive political background.
Mumbai, March 4 (NationPress) - Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of Shiv Sena UBT, has put forward the name of party member Bhaskar Jadhav for the role of Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
In a correspondence to the Assembly Speaker Rajesh Narwekar dated March 3, Thackeray has requested that his suggestion be accepted. This move places the decision in the Speaker's hands. In his letter, Thackeray referenced the unanimous resolution passed by Shiv Sena UBT legislators on February 28 during a meeting at his Matoshree residence.
“This assembly grants authority to Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray to determine the name for the opposition leader within the state assembly. The individual proposed by Thackeray will be recognized,” the resolution states.
Jadhav emerged as the top contender for the opposition leader position, particularly after former minister Aaditya Thackeray indicated he would not assume the role.
Thackeray decided to nominate Jadhav for the LoP position following clarification from the Legislative Assembly Secretariat, which indicated that there is no stipulation requiring a party to hold at least 10 percent of the total assembly strength to be eligible for the position.
The Maharashtra Assembly comprises 288 MLAs, meaning 10 percent translates to 29 individuals. Currently, no single opposition party holds 29 MLAs. Shiv Sena UBT has a total of 20 legislators.
On Monday, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut stated that in various states, parties with as few as four or five members have held the position of Leader of the Opposition to uphold democratic principles.
“Our combined opposition strength exceeds 50. Thus, it is feasible for Shiv Sena UBT to secure the opposition leader position,” he remarked.
Jadhav's political journey began in 1992 as a member of the Ratnagiri Zilla Parishad, and he was subsequently elected to the state assembly as a Shiv Sena candidate in 1995. He was re-elected in the 1999 assembly elections.
After leaving Shiv Sena, Jadhav joined the NCP and was appointed to the state legislative council in 2006.
He was elected to the assembly again in the 2009 elections and served as a minister of state. In 2013, he assumed the role of state NCP chief. Jadhav was appointed as a cabinet minister from June 2013 until September 2014. He was elected to the assembly in 2014 as an NCP candidate, later rejoining Shiv Sena, and winning the 2019 assembly election. Following the Shiv Sena split, he remained with Thackeray's faction and was re-elected in the 2024 assembly polls.
