Maharashtra opposition leaders walk out over delay in appointing LoP, submit memorandum to CJI Gavai

“It took three-and-a-half months for the Opposition to submit a letter for the LoP post. So, it is not a big deal if I take two-and-a-half months to decide,” Narwekar told the House.

The Maharashtra Assembly was constituted on November 24 last year and held its first session on December 7. The Shiv Sena (UBT) submitted Jadhav’s name only recently, prompting the Speaker to say the matter will be dealt with in due course.

Opposition leader Bhaskar Jadhav raised the issue in the Assembly, stating that the delay was against democratic norms. “The absence of a recognised LoP undermines the balance of power in the Legislature,” he said. He also cited Delhi’s example stating that despite the BJP having only three MLAs, the Aam Aadmi Party gave the LoP position to the BJP.

Outside the House, MLAs from the Maha Vikas Aghadi staged a protest on the steps of the Vidhan Bhavan as CJI Gavai arrived to address members. Raising slogans such as “Give justice, Chief Justice, give justice,” the leaders handed over a letter requesting the judiciary’s intervention.

In the letter, the MVA pointed out that the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker not appointing a Leader of Opposition is a violation of Constitution.

“Similarly on the lines that Chief Ministerial post is a constitutional one, Leader of Opposition is also a constitutional post. Only because it is the prerogative of the Assembly Speaker, not appointing an LoP is a violation of the Constitution,” said the letter submitted by the Opposition parties.

It added that the Opposition parties are aware of the fact that the judiciary does not interfere in the functioning of the Legislature. “Despite this, we want to bring this to the notice of you, who is head of one of the pillars of the democracy,” said the letter

Senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said, “This government is deliberately weakening the Opposition’s role. Keeping the LoP post vacant while the Chief Justice visits the Assembly is a mockery of tradition and convention.”
Party leaders argued that while Shiv Sena (UBT) holds only 20 seats—below the 10 per cent threshold in the 288-member House, there is no legal or constitutional bar to appointing a LoP with fewer numbers.

Rajya Sabha MP from Shiv Sena (UBT) Sanjay Raut cited earlier instances where leaders with even smaller strength were accorded LoP status.

The ruling Mahayuti coalition, comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, holds a comfortable majority in the Assembly, following its landslide win in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections.
The Opposition has warned that protests will continue during the monsoon session unless the post is filled.