Sena sits in the Opposition, wants LOP post

Putting an end to speculation over its participation in the BJP-led government in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena on Monday decided to sit in the Opposition.

This came a day after serving an ultimatum to the BJP to come clear within two days on taking NCP support for the survival of its minority dispensation.

A letter from Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray seeking the post of Leader of Opposition for its Legislature Party leader Eknath Shinde was delivered to Assembly Secretary Anant Kalse, party spokesperson Neelam Gorhe told reporters.

“A letter written by our President Uddhav Thackeray was submitted to Anant Kalse informing him that Eknath Shinde has been appointed as the leader of the Shiv Sena Legislature Party.

“Since we are the second largest party in the House with 63 MLAs, it is appropriate to appoint our leader as Leader of Opposition. We expect Shinde’s name to be announced as early as possible,” she said.

After boycotting the first expansion of the Union Council of Ministers and recalling Rajya Sabha member Anil Desai, who too was to be sworn in as a Union Minister yesterday, from Delhi airport, Uddhav had last evening served an ultimatum to BJP asking it to make clear its stand on taking the NCP’s support. “If we don’t get a satisfactory answer (from BJP) in next two days, we will sit in Opposition,” Uddhav had said last evening after a meeting of party legislators where he appointed Shinde as their leader.

The BJP reacted to the Sena’s move with self-assurance, saying “it is their right” and “who had asked them to join government?”

“Since they have got the largest number of seats among Opposition parties, it is their right to have the Leader of Opposition’s post. We extend them our best wishes,” Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse told reporters.

When asked how BJP with 121 MLAs will be able to prove a majority in the House which has an effective strength of 287, Khadse said: “We can’t reveal our strategy, but you will see on Wednesday we will win a comfortable majority and run the State comfortably.”