Sena decides to sit in Opposition in Maha

Putting an end to speculation over its participation in the BJP-led government in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena today decided to sit in the Opposition, a day after serving an ultimatum to BJP to come clear within two days on taking NCP support for survival of its minority dispensation.
The sudden move came on a day when NCP chief Sharad Pawar reiterated his party's decision to extend outside support to the Devendra Fadnavis government during the crucial trust vote on November 12.
A letter from Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray seeking the post of Leader of Opposition for its Legislature Party leader Eknath Shinde was 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.
After boycotting the first expansion of the Union Council of Ministers and recalling Rajya Sabha member Anil Desai, who too was to be sworn-in as a minister yesterday, from Delhi airport, Uddhav had last evening served an ultimatum to BJP asking it to make clear its stand on taking NCP's support to bail out the government in Maharashtra.

"If we don't get a satisfactory answer (from BJP) in next two days, we will sit in Opposition," Uddhav had said last evening after a meeting of party legislators where he appointed Shinde as their leader.
As Pawar, whose party has 41 MLAs in the Assembly, held forth on the reason for extending outside support to the Fadnavis government at a news conference, Sena, apparently peeved at lack of response from BJP to its ultimatum, made up its mind to occupy the space of the main Opposition party.