Shiv Sena UBT Likely to Lose Maharashtra Council Opposition Leader Post After Ahir Exit

The Shiv Sena (UBT) is likely to lose its claim over the Leader of Opposition (LoP) post in the Maharashtra Legislative Council in Mumbai following the exit of Sachin Ahir. The development leaves the state of Maharashtra without an LoP in both houses of the legislature for the first time in several years.

Following Ahir's exit, the Shiv Sena (UBT) is left with only five MLCs in the 78-member council. The Congress also holds five MLCs in the house, challenging the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s sole claim to the position. Political observers have stated that it is unlikely the council will get an LoP in the near future.

The LoP post in the Legislative Council has remained vacant since August 2025, when Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Ambadas Danve retired. Although Danve has since been re-elected to the council, a final decision on the LoP appointment has not been made.

Simultaneously, the state's Legislative Assembly has also been without an LoP since December 2024. Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar has not appointed an LoP despite the Shiv Sena (UBT) submitting the name of MLA Bhaskar Jadhav for the post.

Speaker Narwekar has cited technical reasons for the vacancy, pointing out that the Shiv Sena (UBT) does not possess MLAs comprising 10% of the total strength of the assembly. Narwekar has maintained that the legislature is studying the rules to determine if the LoP post can be granted to a party with less than 10% representation.

A senior official highlighted the significance of the delay, stating that the LoP is a constitutional post carrying a cabinet rank. The official noted that the LoP is a key functionary in the working of the legislature and serves on several statutory committees, making the ongoing vacancies highly critical as the state faces a drought and a debt burden.