Maharashtra assembly to function without LoP for the first time in 60 years; know why
MVA not only the alliance failed to hold power but it also failed to meet the minimum number of seats criteria to claim the position of leader of opposition in the assembly. Several heavyweights also lost the elections.
PTC News Desk: After crushing defeat in Maharashtra assembly elections, MVA is now grappling with lack of official leader of opposition in the assembly as the opposition parties failed to secure number of required seats to claim the position.
The results of Maharashtra Assembly elections 2024 shook the opposition alliance Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Not only the alliance failed to hold power but it also failed to meet the minimum number of seats criteria to claim the position of leader of opposition in the assembly. Several heavyweights also lost the elections.
In order to appoint leader of opposition, the party must secure at least 10 per cent of the seats mounting to 28 seats. However, none of the MVA parties Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), or NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) has reached this threshold. Congress won 16 seats, Shiv Sena (UBT) 20 seats, and the NCP (SP) faction only 10 seats.
This is also the first time in six decades of the state's history that the assembly will not be having any official leader of opposition. Over the years, prominent leaders like Manohar Joshi, Narayan Rane, Eknath Khadse, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar, and Vijay Wadettiwar have held the position of Leader of Opposition.
After the 2019 assembly elections, the MVA came in the government for the first two and a half years, with Devendra Fadnavis acting as Leader of Opposition. After the Mahayuti government took charge in 2022, Ajit Pawar was appointed as Leader of Opposition by the MVA.