As an annual routine the Public Works Department (PWD) has started repair works at Ravi Bhavan, including bungalows of Leader of Opposition (LoP) and Chairperson of Legislative Council before Winter Session of the State Assembly. Since no party has secured the required number of seats, the first Winter Session of the Government in Maharashtra is likely to be held without the Leader of Opposition.

 

So, for whom the PWD is repairing the bungalows, is a matter of interest. Come November and Public Works Department machinery starts repair works at Ravi Bhavan, MLA Hostel, Nag Bhavan, Vidhan Bhavan, and official bungalows of Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Leaders of Opposition, Speakers, Deputy Speaker, Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson etc., along with those of ministers, in the city. The works are on in full swing. But this Winter Session the bungalows are likely to remain unoccupied. As per the State Legislature Act, in the 288-member Maharashtra State Assembly, a party must secure at least 29 seats (28.8 of 10 per cent of the total strength of the members to be precise) to stake claim for the LoP post. As per the outcome of the recently concluded Assembly polls, the party with the highest number of seats in the Opposition is Shiv Sena (UBT) with 21 seats, falling short of 8 seats. In the outgoing House, Vijay Wadettiwar of Congress was Leader of Opposition while Devendra Fadnavis held the post when MVA was in power for two years. Dr Anant Kalse, former Principal Secretary of State Legislature, told ‘The Hitavada’, “As per the provisions of the State Legislature Act, a Leader of Opposition can be nominated provided the party he/she belongs to, has 10% of the elected members. Similar instances are on the record in Maharashtra till 1978 as Congress was enjoying thumping majority in the State. After 1978, the State Assembly had regular Leader of Opposition.”

 

 

 In the situation when no party wins 29 seats in Assembly polls, then the ruling party can decide not to allow anyone get nominated to the post of Leader of Opposition. As an exception, if a group of parties of elected members manage to crosses 29 mark can stake claim on the LoP post provided the request to the Speaker gets accepted. In similar situations in the past, Mrunal Gore and some other leaders during their respective regimes had enjoyed the status of Leader of Opposition. In latest situationm if MVA, with a combined strength of 46, gets permission from the Mahayuti Government can get the LoP post. Hence, the group can have the LoP post on yearly basis.