Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday urged CM Devendra Fadnavis to allow appointment of leader of the opposition in the state legislature.Citing the example of Vithalrao Hande of Peasants and Workers Party, who served as leader of the opposition in the legislative council from 1988-1990 despite not having the requisite number of members, Thackeray said in his farewell address to the council, “I would urge you to check the numbers and if I am right, I appeal to you to do 1774391386 what was done then.” The post has been vacant since Aug 2025 in the council and since Dec 2024 in the assembly. In both Houses, no single opposition party has hit the threshold of having 10% of the total strength. The council held a farewell ceremony for eight other members who are set to retire in May—deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe, NCP (SP)’s Shashikant Shinde and Amol Mitkar, and BJP’s Ranjitsinh Mohite-Patil, Dadarao Keche, Sanjay Kinekar and Sandip Joshi, Congress’s Rajesh Rathod. Recounting the achievements of the MVA govt led by him, Thackeray said the work done during the pandemic, especially in a slum like Dharavi, was termed as ‘the Mumbai model’ and was acknowledged by WHO. He said he ensured waiver of farm loans of up to Rs 2 lakh without anyone asking for it. “And then Covid happened, and we could not give the incentive that’s being given now.” He said work on all infrastructure projects continued during the pandemic.Fadnavis likened Thackeray to his father, the late Balasaheb Thackeray, saying his core nature was not of a typical politician. “If he takes a decision, he doesn’t back out,” he said in his address. Thackeray said the CM had described him aptly, adding that his nature is that of an artist. Deputy CM Eknath Shinde wished him good health and a long life. Thackeray threw a jab at them: “Aisi kaun si baat thi kisi aur ka haath pakadna pada (what was it that made you hold someone else’s hand?)”
