Talks continue as MVA unable to decide on Leader of Opposition

Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan addresses the Budget Session of the State Legislature Assembly, in Mumbai on Monday (March 3, 2025).
| Photo Credit: ANI

In spite of media statements over the past three days regarding staking claim to the Leader of Opposition post in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has not yet sent out an official letter for the same.

On the first day of the Budget session of Maharashtra Assembly on Monday (March 3, 2025), after two rounds of talks among the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders, top sources indicated that the final decision will be taken only after a discussion among the three senior leaders – Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, and Ramesh Chennithala. The talks are still open with regards to the names and the parties, sources indicated to The Hindu on Monday (March 3, 2025). The Congress has staked claim to the LoP position in the Upper House, sources indicated; while all the three parties have discussed if the LoP position in the Lower House should be on a rotational basis.

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“The strength of the MVA should be shown on the floor of the House. So we believe that the term of the LoP position should be divided among the three parties. All the three parties should get 18 months each for the LoP position. The Shiv Sena(UBT) can go first, as it has the largest numbers. This has happened in the past when Sharad Pawar Saaheb was in the Opposition,” NCP(SP) leader Jitendra Awhad told The Hindu.

Senior MVA leaders held a closed door meeting in the office of Shiv Sena(UBT) leader Ambadas Danve on Monday (March 3, 2025). The meeting was attended by Nana Patole, Jayant Patil, Jitendra Awhad, Aaditya Thackeray, Ambadas Danve, and Anil Parab, among other leaders. “The three top leaders will likely hold a discussion on Wednesday (March 5, 2025). All the talks are open as of now. The decision about which party should get what in the Assembly, will be taken only after the top leaders’ meeting,” a senior leader said on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, top sources present in the meeting told The Hindu that Nana Patole had staked Congress’ claim to the Leader of Opposition position in the Vidhan Parishad or the Upper House. “He said that just like Shiv Sena has the maximum numbers in the Lower House, the Congress has the maximum numbers in the Upper House. So the LoP position there should be given to the Congress,” a senior leader said.

“It is important that the MVA should have its Leader of Opposition in the House. This is an important session. And all the leaders share the same sentiment that we should have an LoP,” a senior leader told The Hindu after the talks. “The LoP will be from Shiv Sena(UBT). That is final,” another leader from a regional party said. At least two names from the Shiv Sena(UBT) are tipped to be in the race, including Bhaskar Jadhav and Sunil Prabhu. But the party has not yet taken any official step for staking claim.

Generally, the LoP position goes to the party which garners at least 10% seats in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. But the Shiv Sena(UBT) has 20 seats in the 288-seat Assembly. The Congress has 16 MLAs and the NCP(SP) has 10.