Sena to sit in Opposition, vote against BJP

The BJP called the decision by its former ally as unfortunate.

The Shiv Sena finally took the plunge and decided to sit in the Opposition benches in the new Maharashtra Assembly, where the BJP government led by Devendra Fadnavis is facing a confidence vote on Wednesday. File photo

Hours before the newly-elected BJP Government in Maharashtra will go for a floor test, its estranged partner, the Shiv Sena has finally decided to sit in the opposition and vote against them during the trust vote.

Speaking to the press Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam confirmed that the Shiv Sena will sit in the opposition.

" There was a meeting between Mr. Uddhav Thackeray and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis after which Mr. Thackeray today decided to sit in the opposition and vote against the trust vote ," Mr. Kadam said.

" For a month Mr. Thackeray tired to talk to BJP leaders to sought out the difference and find a consensus which would be in favour of the state but we did not succeed and therefore we finally decided to sit in the opposition," he added.

The BJP called the decision by its former ally as unfortunate.

"Its an unfortunate decision on their part but if they have decided to sit in the opposition we can't do much about it," said cabinet minister Eknath Khadse.