Bhaskar Jadhav Says He Will Step Aside If Aaditya Thackeray Is Made Opposition Leader
Bhaskar Jadhav
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Bhaskar Jadhav says he is ready to drop his claim to the Opposition Leader post if Aaditya Thackeray is appointed, accusing the government of delaying the decision.
Nagpur, December 08, 2025 – Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Bhaskar Jadhav has created fresh political discussion by declaring that he is willing to give up his claim to the Opposition Leader post in Maharashtra if Aaditya Thackeray is chosen. Speaking during a televised interview, he said there is no confusion within his party and that they would fully support Aaditya if the government agrees to appoint him.
Jadhav claimed that the ruling alliance is deliberately keeping the post vacant. According to him, the government has been citing a rule that requires a party to have at least ten percent strength in the Assembly to claim Opposition Leader status. Jadhav said his party sought clarification from the Legislature Secretariat and was informed that no such rule exists. He believes the government is avoiding the appointment because it fears stronger scrutiny from the opposition inside the House.
The statement comes right before the winter session in Nagpur, where the absence of a recognised Opposition Leader has become a recurring point of debate. For more than a year, the Legislature has functioned without one, leading to complaints that important issues are being pushed aside without proper discussion.
Jadhav suggested that the government should stop delaying and show political courage by clearing the name proposed by the opposition. He also said that if the ruling side feels he is an obstacle, he is ready to withdraw immediately. Supporters of Aaditya Thackeray argue that he represents a younger leadership style and that giving him the role would strengthen accountability in the Assembly.
Opposition groups say the delay reflects a larger pattern of the ruling coalition trying to avoid questions on governance, including discussions on farmer distress, unemployment and alleged irregularities in state projects. Government supporters, on the other hand, maintain that numerical strength must guide constitutional positions and that the Speaker will take a decision based on procedure.
Political observers believe this public offer by Jadhav may increase pressure on the government during the winter session. If the appointment is finalised, it could change the political atmosphere and give the opposition a sharper voice inside both Houses of the Legislature. Until a decision is made, tensions are expected to continue and the role of the Speaker will remain central in resolving the matter.
For now, the situation highlights how essential the position of Opposition Leader is for checks and balances in parliamentary functioning. Whether Aaditya Thackeray gets the role or not, the conversation has clearly moved beyond internal party politics and has become a question of transparency and democratic process.
