Have claimed Leader of Opposition post in Maharashtra Assembly, says Shiv Sena

The Shiv Sena on Monday decided to sit in the opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly, by formally staking claim to the Leader of Opposition's (LoP's) post and proposing the name of Eknath Shinde for the same.

"We have claimed the post of leader of opposition in Maharashtra Assembly. [Party supremo] Uddhav Thackeray will announce the President's position on it when the time is suitable," Shiv Sena leader Neelam Gorhe told the media.

This move by the Shiv Sena will put more pressure on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP government in Maharashtra, as it will be forced to contemplate in seeking the support of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to pass the trust vote which is set to take place on November 12.

Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena leaders took on the BJP-led government in Maharashtra over the issue of introducing 'Urdu' as a subject in Marathi schools.

Senior leader Diwakar Raote said that the Shiv Sena MLAs will present a green skull cap to state Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse for 'espousing' the cause of Urdu language in Marathi medium schools.

The BJP and Shiv Sena snapped their 25-year alliance in September ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly polls over a seat-sharing disagreement.

Following the polls the BJP had emerged as the single largest party in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly with 122 seats, but one of its MLAs Govind Rathod died. The Shiv Sena finished second with 63 seats. The NCP, which emerged victorious in 41 seats, has offered the BJP 'external support' to form the government in the state.