Tue Mar 04 22:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Uddhav Thackeray Recommends Jadhav for Maharashtra LoP Post, Sparking Coalition Debate

**Mumbai, March 5, 2025** – Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray has formally nominated party MLA Bhaskar Jadhav for the Leader of Opposition (LoP) position in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. The recommendation, announced Monday, follows a meeting of Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs and was conveyed in a letter to Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar. Thackeray stated the decision was unanimous within his party.

The move has ignited debate within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) opposition alliance. While the Shiv Sena (UBT), with 20 MLAs, is the largest party in the opposition, the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) [NCP (SP)] has proposed rotating the LoP position among the three MVA partners—Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP)—for 18 months each. NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad argued this would ensure fair representation. He suggested that while Shiv Sena (UBT) deserves the initial opportunity, a final decision would be made by senior leaders from all three parties.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde challenged the opposition’s right to claim the LoP position, citing the lack of the conventionally required 10% of Assembly seats (28 out of 288). The Shiv Sena (UBT) currently holds 20 seats, Congress 16, and NCP (SP) 10. However, Mr. Jadhav countered that there’s no legal requirement mandating the 10% threshold.

The LoP issue is expected to be a key discussion point during the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly budget session.

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