Sena to sit in Oppn

Mumbai: Ending days of uncertainty, Shiv Sena decided to sit in Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly and not be part of the BJP-led government in the state.

A letter written by Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray seeking the post of Leader of Opposition for its Legislature Party leader Eknath Shinde has been delivered to the state Assembly Secretary Anant Kalse, party spokesperson Neelam Gorhe told reporters. "A letter written by our President Uddhav Thackeray was submitted to Anant Kalse informing him that Eknath Shinde has been appointed as the leader of the Shiv Sena Legislature Party. "Since we are the second largest party in the House with 63 MLAs it is appropriate to appoint our leader as Leader of Opposition. We expect Shinde's name to be announced as early as possible," she said.

Sena's abrupt move comes a day after Uddhav's ultimatum to BJP to come clear on the issue of taking NCP's support for the survival of its minority government within two days failing which it would sit in the opposition.

Amid persistent differences with BJP over power sharing in Maharashtra, Uddhav had recalled Sena MP Anil Desai back to Mumbai from Delhi where he had gone to take oath as Union Minister. Sena had also boycotted the swearing-in ceremony of the new ministers who were inducted into the Modi government.

Jaitley reacts
Amid simmering tension with Sena which appears to be on verge of parting ways with BJP over a spat on Cabinet expansion, Union Minister Arun Jaitley said some problems take care of themselves. "Some problems take care of themselves," he said when asked by reporters about the BJP-Shiv Sena row.

Will not destabilise BJP govt: Pawar
Mumbai: NCP chief Sharad Pawar, whose party has extended crucial outside support to the BJP government in Maharashtra, said the decision was prompted by the need to avoid fresh elections but made it clear that the party will play the role of an effective Opposition.

Pawar said the decision to back the minority government was "conscious and collective" and not part of a "hidden deal" with BJP.

"We have not discussed our decision with anyone. It was a conscious and collective decision in the larger interest of the state. Nobody asked us for our support. BJP is free to not accept our support," he told a press conference.

Pawar said since Congress and NCP were not in a position to provide an alternative government, the only way to avoid a fresh poll was to back the BJP dispensation.