Shiv Sena to play role of 'principal opposition' in winter session

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena will play the role of principal Opposition in the winter session of the Maharashtra Assembly beginning December 8, party leader Sanjay Raut today said.

"I have no knowledge of any talks between my party and BJP. As of now, we are an opposition party and will take on the government in the coming winter session," Raut told PTI.

"Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Eknath Shinde is touring the state and is criticising the government on various fronts. Our party, which has 63 MLAs, is completely in the role of opposition party (in the assembly) on directives of our leader Uddhav Thackeray," Raut said.

There are several issues like law and order, farmers' suicide, power crisis and drought-like condition in many parts of the state and Sena leaders are highlighting them effectively, he said.

Yesterday, BJP leader and state PWD minister Chandrakant Patil had said in Kolhapur that Shiv Sena "will be accommodated" in the cabinet expansion before the winter session starts.

Meanwhile, highly placed sources in Shiv Sena said the decision about their party joining the government would be taken by Sena president Uddhav Thackeray.

"Decision would be taken after BJP leaders discuss the issue with Uddhav ji. Right now, our leaders including Uddhav ji himself are on tour," sources said.