NCP to decide on Cong claim to leader of opposition post

In 2012 civic polls,the NCP had emerged as the single largest party. While the MNS finished second with 29 corporators,the Congress won 28 seats. As per the law,the NCP had to appoint an MNS member as leader of the opposition and the Raj Thackeray-led party was established as main opposition party in PMC. Mayor Vaishali Bankar appointed MNS leader Vasant More as Leader of the Opposition.

Recently,the small cause court disqualified MNS corporator Priya Gadage for producing false birth certificate,while the municipal chief declared Kalpana Bahirat of MNS disqualified for producing wrong caste certificate.

In a letter sent to the mayor on Thursday,city Congress chief Abhay Chhajed pointed out that the strength of MNS had reduced after the disqualification of its two corporators. “MNS corporator Gadade has managed to get a stay on the disqualification till April 6 while Bahirat is declared as disqualified. Thus,the MNS strength is technically reduced from 29 to 28 due to disqualification of Bahirat by civic chief even as Gadade has managed to get a stay,” he wrote.

Pointing out to the government rule,Chhajed said: “The strength of Congress and MNS is equal. Going by the rule in case of equal strength of two political parties,the nationally recognised party has to be given priority. Congress is a national party while MNS is recognised as state party and the Congress should get priority.”

Talking to Newsline,Bankar said: “I have received the claim of Congress for the post of opposition leader. I will take up the issue with the legal department and the municipal secretary before taking any decision.”

In the past

In 2007,the NCP was caught in a controversy when it appointed BJP leader Vikas Matkari as leader of the opposition despite Congress emerging as the second largest party. Congress leader Ulhas Bagul dragged the ruling NCP to court on the issue and the decision was then given in favour of the Congress. The Bombay High Court ordered PMC to cancel the appointment of BJP leader and appoint a Congress corporator on the post of opposition leader. The NCP was then forced to appoint Bagul as leader of the opposition by removing Matkari. “The decision has to be taken by the mayor. The NCP had to face an embarrassment last time by ignoring the Congress claim and we don’t want to face the same this time,” said an NCP leader.