Yet to decide who’ll be Leader of Opposition, says Pawar

PUNE: With Eknath Shinde taking oath as chief minister and Devendra Fadnavis as his deputy, the race is now on for the post of Leader of Opposition (LOP) in Maharashtra. Although Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders maintain that discussions over who will be the opposition leader have not taken place so far, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is likely to stake a claim for the post.

In Pune, NCP president Sharad Pawar said that it is “too early” to say who will be the Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra. “We have not discussed this issue so far. We will discuss it tomorrow,” said Pawar when asked whether NCP will lay its claim for the post.

NCP’S tally in the Maharashtra assembly is 56 while Sena’s strength after the Shinde-led revolt has come down to 16 and Congress has 42 MLAS.

The Congress leaders in Mumbai, including former minister Balasaheb Thorat, said the decision over the opposition leader has not been taken yet. “We are yet to sit and discuss the issue with our allies in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.”

Pawar also said that while becoming deputy chief minister, Devendra Fadavis’ face was reflective that he was not very happy. “But as RSS Swayamsevak, he must have followed orders from the top. It does not look like he has accepted the position happily,” Pawar said.

The NCP chief said, in BJP, once the order comes – either from Delhi or Nagpur – it is followed without any comprothe mise. “This can be seen as Devendra Fadnavis, who first announced to stay out of this government but later accepted to become DYCM.”

He, however, noted that there have been such instances in the past too. He also spoke to Shinde and congratulated him, Pawar added.

Pawar also rejected rebel

Sena MLAS’ claims that the Sena’s tie-up with NCP and Congress was the primary reason for their rebellion. This allegation is baseless. It has no connection with NCP and Congress. Something has to be told to people (as an excuse), which is why NCP and Congress are being blamed,” he said.

On Shinde’s rebellion, Pawar said if BJP had accepted Shiv Sena’s proposal after the 2019 polls, there was no need for a new experiment in Maharashtra at that time itself.

“Had this decision to support Shinde was taken two and half years back, this entire episode wouldn’t have happened,” said Pawar. About the support

Shinde gathered, Pawar said, those who went to Assam with Shinde were hoping that their leader will become Dy CM.

“I think Even Shinde wasn’t aware of the top post being offered to him. In BJP, once the order comes –either from Delhi or Nagpur – it is followed without any compromise,” said NCP supremo. Speaking about the issue of alleged misuse of central agencies by the BJP, Pawar claimed he has received four notices from Income tax regarding his election affidavits in 2004, 2009 and 2014.

Widely seen as the next chief minister after the collapse of the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government on Wednesday, Fadnavis sprang a huge surprise when he announced that Shinde will occupy the top post and that he will not be part of his dispensation. Shinde, a four-time MLA, began oath taking by paying tributes to late Shiv Sena leaders Bal Thackeray and Anand Dighe, his political mentor in Thane district.

PAWAR REJECTED ALLEGATION THAT SENA’S TIE-UP WITH CONGRESS AND NCP WAS THE REASON FOR THE REBELLION