The Shiv Sena MLA and Minister of State in Devendra Fadnavis’ Cabinet, Sanjay Rathod, entered the lower House of the legislature from the entrance meant for Opposition members.
“Today was the second time I entered the House from the Opposition side. What to do? It will take some time to shed the habit of the last 15 years,” said Mr. Rathod.
Mr. Rathod was not the only Shiv Sena MLA to do so. Many other Shiv Sena MLAs were seen entering the House through the same entrance and some senior MLAs even sat in seats they occupied earlier.
Although, its alliance partner, the BJP, emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly elections and formed the government, the Shiv Sena had to wait for almost two months after the elections to get to the Treasury benches. The Sena ruled the State from 1995 to 1999. “We have spent 15 years on the Opposition raising issues of the common people of Maharashtra. It feels good to be back on the Treasury benches, but people have huge expectations from us,” said Industries Minister Subhash Desai.
