Sena MPs may sit in opposition benches in Parliament

NEW DELHI: The Shiv Sena may now sit in the opposition benches during the Winter Session of the Parliament, which is set to begin from November 18. The new arrangement is a fallout of the regional outfit's decision to part ways with the BJP in Maharashtra.


The Shiv Sena parted ways with its long-time ally BJP after the Maharashtra assembly polls when both parties failed to arrive at a consensus over a power-sharing arrangement for the post of chief minister.

There has been no official announcement on changes in sitting arrangements for Sena's 18 Lok Sabha MPs and four

Rajya Sabha

members.

The Shiv Sena also said that it would not attend a meeting of NDA constituents on the eve of the winter session of Parliament. Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that severance of ties with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance was now only a formality.

In a sharp jibe at BJP, Raut said the NDA was not somebody's property. “The Shiv Sena and the Akali Dal were equally important founders of the alliance,” he added.

On NDA's pre-session Parliamentary meeting, Raut said, “I have learnt that the meeting (of NDA constituents) is being held on November 17. We had already decided against attending the meeting considering the kind of developments that are taking place in Maharashtra."

The Sena’s Rajya Sabha MP further said he had learnt that his party had not received an invitation for the NDA meeting. “It is alright if it has not been sent. We had already decided (against attending the meeting),” Raut said.

Without naming anyone, Raut said nobody can claim “ownership rights” on the NDA. “NDA is not somebody's property. Bal Thackeray (late Shiv Sena founder) and Akali Dal are equally important founders of the NDA,” he said.

Asked whether only a formal announcement of the Sena walking out of NDA remains pending now, Raut said, “You can say that. There is no problem in saying that.”

Raut exuded confidence that the Sena will install its mayors in the Mumbai and Thane civic bodies in upcoming Mayoral elections. “It won't be surprising if the Sena installs its mayor in some other civic body too,” he added.

Raut said the Sena, the NCP, and the Congress have reached a consensus on the Common Minimum Programme (CMP), the foundation of the proposed alliance government, in Maharashtra itself and there was no need to discuss it in Delhi.

Another Sena MP said the party will pay tribute to its founder Bal Thackeray on Sunday on his death anniversary. “How come then will we be able to attend that (NDA) meeting?” the MP asked.

The Sena's refusal to support its pre-poll ally BJP, in forming a government precipitated into a political crisis, which culminated in the imposition of President's Rule in the state on November 12.