As the Maharashtra assembly’s budget session began on Monday, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition faced internal discussions over the Leader of Opposition (LoP) post. While no formal claim has been made, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Jitendra Awhad proposed that the coveted cabinet-level position be rotated among the MVA’s three constituents—NCP (SP), Congress, and Shiv Sena (UBT)—for 18 months each.

Awhad, a former state minister, argued that this arrangement would allow each party to represent itself effectively in the 288-member assembly. “We want the LoP post to rotate so every party gets a chance to lead as a united opposition,” he told PTI. He suggested that Shiv Sena (UBT), with 20 MLAs—the highest among MVA parties—should get the first term. Senior leaders from the trio will reportedly decide the matter soon.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut had earlier hinted at his party’s intent to claim the post. However, Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde dismissed the opposition’s prospects, stating, “They lack the numbers and unity to stake a claim.” He noted that the assembly speaker holds the final say.

The MVA’s numbers currently stand at 46 MLAs—Shiv Sena (UBT) with 20, Congress with 16, and NCP (SP) with 10—falling short of the 28 seats (10% of the assembly) traditionally required for the LoP post. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav, however, contested this, claiming no such rule exists in the Constitution.