Shiv Sena stakes claim to leader of opposition post in Maharashtra Assembly

The Sena sought the Leader of Opposition's post for its member Eknath Shinde in the state assembly.

Sena-BJP ties hit a new low in the wake of a spat over Cabinet expansion at the Centre and failure to accommodate the Sena in the Maharashtra government in Mumbai.

The Shiv Sena on Monday staked claim to the leader of opposition post in the Maharashtra Assembly, but maintained that it was still open to talks with the BJP. “While we are firm on staking claim to opposition leader role, we are not denying the possibility of holding talks with BJP. We are always ready for a dialogue with BJP,” Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray said.

The Sena’s flip-flop in the Assembly and outside seemed to suggest a divide within the organisation, with several MLAs still urging Thackeray not to take an extreme stand against the Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP government in the state.

Though Sena’s MLAs occupied opposition benches in the Assembly on Monday morning, the discomfort was visible on their faces.

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The Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, submitted an official letter to the state legislature assembly secretariat, claiming its right for the leader of opposition post as it is the second-largest party in the state with 63 MLAs. In the 288-member house, BJP currently has 121 MLAs, the Congress has 42 and the NCP has 41.

Sena’s Member of Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe announced, “We have submitted the letter to stake claim to the role of opposition leader in the Assembly.”

The legislature secretariat confirmed: “The Shiv Sena has the right to the post of opposition leader.”

However, a disgruntled MLA said on condition of anonymity, “It is strange that being the second largest party, we are in the opposition. We should have played our cards carefully to bring BJP to the negotiating table to form the government.”
A senior BJP leader confided, “Officially, talks between the Sena and BJP may have come to a standstill. But back-channel negotiations are underway. Everything will become clear on November 12.”

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The BJP has held Sena responsible for taking an extreme stand by not allowing Anil Desai to join the Union cabinet on Sunday. A party source said, “BJP president Amit Shah had sought consent from Thackeray to induct Desai.” The Sena insisted that they would like to see at least two candidates inducted in the cabinet.

The source added, “The central leadership told them that since they have given only one ministerial post to alliance partner Telegu Desam Party, it would not be proper to give two posts to Sena.” However, Sena was assured that their demand for the induction of another minister would be considered in the coming days. At that point, Thackeray had agreed. But 10 minutes before the swearing-in, Thackeray reiterated his earlier demand. The BJP told him that things cannot be reworked at the last minute.

According to sources, “Thackeray urged the BJP emissary to connect him to PM Narendra Modi. Since the PM was already in a function, BJP leaders said it was not possible.” Upset, Thackeray sent an SMS saying that the Sena would not participate in the swearing in.