When the Shiv Sena UBT delegation, led by Uddhav Thackeray, met State Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar on March 4 to recommend Bhaskar Jadhav as the Leader of Opposition, it appeared that the matter was resolved. However, the announcement remains pending, suggesting otherwise.
While talking to the media, Thackeray argued that a Leader of Opposition is essential when the state annual budget is presented for approval in the assembly. A talk was also on in the premises of the Vidhan Bhavan that when the Sena was making such a claim, indeed a discussion would have taken place with the BJP because the party was gauging the mood in the Mahayuti. It was also speculated that the Sena would submit its recommendation only after receiving a green signal from the ruling dispensation.
A talk is that the ruling combine is not in favour of Bhaskar Jadhav as he may prove an effective LoP thanks to his experience in the state legislature, oratory and knowledge of the legislative procedures and rules. The Mahayuti would have preferred Aaditya Thackeray due to his sober demeanour and soft approach, sources claim.
On the other hand, Uddhav Thackeray might be in a tricky position to handpick his son when no such demand came in from his party. On March 4, when media persons asked about the same role for Aaditya, senior Thackeray said if he were aware that the BJP was not opposed to dynasticism, he would have thought about it.
Interestingly, the Sena claim came only after a clarification given by the state legislature secretariat that there were no formal rules for the appointment of the leader of opposition when no political party gets less than 10% of the seats in the legislature. Besides, the Shiv Sena move to stake a claim all alone without inviting its allies in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was fodder to the rumour mills.
