Fadnavis will remain as leader of opposition, says Shiv Sena

Ruling out possibility of any change of guard in Maharashtra, the ruling Shiv Sena in Maharashtra on Tuesday (February 25) questioned former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis “to continue his job”.

The Sena took a swipe at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for suggesting that senior BJP leader and former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis will not remain in the opposition for long.

Recently, in an open-ended remark, RSS general secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi said that Fadnavis will remain as ex-chief minister of Maharashtra for a limited period only.

In the editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana, the Sena said, “RSS leader Bhaiyyaji Joshi made a hollow statement in Nagpur (that) Devendra Fadnavis will not remain in the opposition for long, and (that) the prefix ex added to his name will soon disappear.”

“This comment may have pleased opposition parties mentally, but nothing of that sort will happen in Maharashtra. Hence, Devendra ji we can only suggest (you) to go ahead with doing (your) job as the Leader of the Opposition,” it said.

Fadnavis had headed the BJP-led state government, of which the Sena was also a part, during 2014 to 2019.

However, after the assembly elections in October last year, the Sena fell out with the BJP demanding the post of chief minister. The Uddhav Thackeray-led party later joined hands with the NCP and Congress to form Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in November last year.

The Sena and the BJP came face to face recently, after the opposition party boycotted the customary tea party hosted by the government on the eve of the Budget session on Sunday.

Fadnavis recently alleged that there was no proper communication among the ruling constituents of the MVA-Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress.

Dismissing Fadnavis contention, the Sena said none of the MLAs of the MVA could be poached. Fadnavis was the chief minister for “80 hours” (during his second term) despite communication from the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Raj Bhavan, Union Home Ministry and agencies like ED and CBI, it stated. “Hence, the communication among us is better than that among you,” it said.

The Sena said at least 50 out of the total 105 MLAs of the BJP in Maharashtra are ideologically at variance with that party.

Several Congress and NCP leaders had joined the BJP ahead of the Assembly election held last year. The Sena further alleged that the BJP had engaged into horse trading as it poached Opposition leaders.

“The MVA or Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray does not seem to be taking that route (of horse trading) at least as on today. But what will happen to the Leader of the Opposition in case they decide to communicate with the 105 MLAs?” the Sena asked.