Maharashtra winter session to begin on December 8 with no Leader of Opposition

Mumbai: For the first time in the history of Maharashtra, the winter session of the state legislature will commence on December 8 sans Leader of the Opposition, either in Assembly or Council, an issue that gave the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) a fodder to hit out at the Devendra Fadnavis-headed BJP-led Maha Yuti government which came into power exactly a year ago.

On the eve of the session on Sunday, the Opposition boycotted the customary tea meeting hosted by the Chief Minister and slammed the government of multiple issues including the agrarian distress and farmers suicide.

When the session commences on Monday, there would not be any Leader of the Opposition either in the Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council.

Because of the depleted strength of the MVA after the 2024 Vidhan Sabha polls, it could not secure the post of LoP in the Legislative Assembly though it has made a representation to Speaker Rahul Narwekar and Fadnavis.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) is keen for the post.

On the other hand LoP in the Legislative Council Ambadas Danve’s tenure got over after the monsoon session.

The Congress has staked claim for the post and the MVA has submitted letters to Legislative Council Chairman Prof Ram Shinde.

“The government does not want the LoPs,” Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar said, adding that in the past there have been precedents of appointing LoP in the Legislative Assembly despite the opposition benches not having the strength.

Wadettiwar, a two time LoP, slammed Fadnavis and his deputies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar.

To claim the post of LoP in the Assembly, a party needs to have 10 per cent seats.

In the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, 10 per cent is 28.8 (or 29 seats).

None of the three Maha Vikas Aghadi - Congress (16) and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) with 16 and Sharad Pawar-headed NCP (SP) with 10 seats, commands 10 per cent of the seats, individually.

The Leader of Opposition’s post cannot be secured based on the combined strength of opposition parties, as per the Constitution, parliamentary and legislative norms.

On the other hand, in the Legislative Council, the Congress has staked claim with Congress MLC Satej Patil tipped to occupy the position. “We have received the proposal (of the opposition)…the decision will be taken at an appropriate time,” said Prof Shinde.