Jayant Patil Urges Swift Appointment of Opposition Leader Ahead of Assembly Session

In a recent statement, Jayant Patil, former state president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) (Sharad Pawar), criticized the ongoing delay in appointing the leader of the opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly. He called on Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar to expedite the decision ahead of the upcoming winter session, set to begin on December 4, 2023.

Call for Leadership Appointment

Patil emphasized that the current situation, which sees a one-year delay in this crucial appointment, is unacceptable. According to the rules, a party must hold at least 10% of the 288 seats in the Assembly to claim the opposition leader position. However, the opposition alliance, known as the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), has been collectively reduced to only 50 seats, with Shiv Sena (UBT) having the largest share at 20 seats.

Despite not meeting the required threshold, the opposition coalition has asserted its right to the position. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has nominated Bhaskar Jadhav as its candidate for the role, a move that has garnered support from other MVA partners. Patil stated, “Earlier, replying to our demand, he (Narwekar) assured us of taking the call at the right time. However, it has been one year, and the appointment has not yet been made; this is not right.”

Concerns Over Police Investigation

Patil’s visit to Pune on Saturday included a meeting with local NCP (SP) worker Ram Khade, who is currently hospitalized following an attack by a gang in Ahilyanagar. Patil expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of the police investigation into the incident, noting, “Even after nearly two weeks of the attack, the Ahilyanagar police still are not able to trace the attackers, which is quite unfortunate. It also raises doubt over the capabilities of the police force.”

As the winter session approaches, Patil’s appeals highlight the political tensions within Maharashtra and the pressing need for leadership clarity within the opposition. The outcome of the speaker’s decision could have significant implications for the MVA coalition and its effectiveness in the Assembly.