Mumbai: In an attempt to avenge snubbing by BJP, Shiv Sena will be seen supporting its political rival Congress as part of the floor management in the lower House. On the other hand, Congress has decided to form a shadow Cabinet with the back office support of retired bureaucrats to fight against BJP in the legislature.
“The BJP ignored the Shiv Sena while inducting ministers. Now, it is our duty to play the role of a responsible Opposition party in the legislature, as well as outside the House,” said Dr Neelam Gorhe, Shiv Sena spokesperson.
In a changed political situation, Shiv Sena and Congress will play the role of Opposition, while NCP will play the role of BJP supporter, said Dr Gorhe. She admitted that traditional political rival Congress and Shiv Sena would rally together against BJP.
“It’s not in our hands now. The mandate is that we have to shake hands with Congress in the larger interest of the state,” she said. “It’s part of the floor management,” she added.
MPCC president Manikrao Thakre said that Congress would never go with Shiv Sena in any condition. “In the House, despite our ideology, it would be seen that on several issues we will fight jointly against BJP,” he said.
Elaborating the party’s strategy against BJP, Mr Thakre said, “We will form a shadow Cabinet which may come into existence before the Winter Session of the Legislature.”
The shadow Cabinet will consist of a group of two to four legislators interested in a common department. They will be backed by retired bureaucrats or senior officials who have handled the department for a certain period, he added.
The group will have a record of the issues related with a particular department and they will attack the BJP government in the House. It will give even first-time elected legislators an opportunity to speak in the House, Mr Thakre said.
