Congress stakes claim for LoP in state council, seeks appointment of Satej Patil
Thorat and Wadettiwar also met Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and told him about the party's decision to stake the claim. The Sena has been claiming that the post belongs to it after its own member Danve retired.
Congress leaders Balasaheb Thorat and Vijay Wadettiwar with council chairman Ram Shinde in Mumbai on Monday. (Image: @bb_thorat/X)
The Maharashtra Congress on Monday staked claim for the post of Leader of Opposition in the State Legislative Council. The party is pushing for the appointment of MLC Satej Patil for the post. However, Mayahuti sources said it was loathe to take any decision at this juncture.
The post has been vacant after the term of Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Ambadas Danve ended in August.
Senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat and CLP leader Vijay Wadettiwar Monday met Ram Shinde, chairman of the State Legislative Council, and urged him to take a decision for filing the post of Leader of Opposition. The leaders told Shinde that the absence of an Opposition Leader will affect the legislative functioning.
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In a tweet on X, Thorat said, “We met Ram Shinde and urged him to take a decision for filing the post of Leader of Opposition of the State Legislative Council at the earliest.” Speaking to reporters, Thorat said, “We have staked the claim for the Leader of Opposition’s post and have given a letter to the council chairman.
Thorat and Wadettiwar also met Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and told him about the party’s decision to stake the claim. The Sena has been claiming that the post belongs to it after its own member Danve retired.
Satej Patil is known for his proximity to the Gandhi family. In recent times, he emerged as a strong voice of the party in the State Legislative Council and outside. “Satej Patil has been at the forefront of several of the party’s initiatives in attacking both the central and state governments… Congress today has only a couple of leaders whose voice is heard loud and clear… In Kolhapur from where he hails, Patil has taken out several morchas and held protests against the wrong policies of the government. He also played a crucial role in the party’s winning the Kolhapur Lok Sabha seat,” said a Congress leader.
Maharashtra Congress chief spokesperson Atul Londhe confirmed that the party has decided to field Satej Patil for the post in view of his seniority and experience. “The Mahayuti has no option but will have to get a Leader of Opposition in place. It will be a political decision. We have 8 MLCs in the Upper House.”
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Political analyst Avinash Chilekar said, “The Mahayuti Government is not allowing the appointment of an Opposition leader in the State Assembly. It is part of their political strategy. They don’t want an opposition leader who will rail against them in the House and which will go viral in Maharashtra. The Mahayuti, especially, the BJP is very shrewd. The BJP has done this at the Centre as well.”
When the party’s stand was sought, state BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye told The Indian Express, “I think the decision regarding this will be taken during the winter session of the State Legislature… There is still time for it. It is not necessary that the appointment has to be made now.”
BJP sources said they won’t allow the appointment of the Leader of Opposition. “The Opposition does not have suitable number in both Houses of the state legislature. No single party has one tenth of the total strength of the House, be it State Assembly or State Council, and therefore appointment of leaders looks difficult. The Mahayuti will play by the rule book,” said a BJP leader.
In the 78 member Maharashtra Legislative Council, Congress has 8 MLCs; Shiv Sena (UBT) 6; NCP (SP) 3; and three are independents. BJP has 22, Shiv Sena 7 and NCP 8. There are at least 22 vacant MLC posts.
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