Mumbai, March 04: Shiv Sena (UBT) senior leader and Guhagar MLA Bhaskar Jadhav has been appointed as the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Tuesday (March 04). The resolution regarding the decision was passed in a meeting of the Shiv Sena (UBT) party members led by Uddhav Thackeray. The recommendation letter approved by Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray was sent to Maharashtra Assembly Speaker and BJP MLA Rahul Narwekar today.
The recommendation letter was shared by the party on its official social media account with the caption, "Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) party chief, Hon. Uddhav Saheb Thackeray, has recommended the appointment of Bhaskar Jadhav, the party's group leader, as the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, to the Assembly Speaker."
Who Is Bhaskar Jadhav?
Bhaskar Jadhav's political career spans several decades, marked by multiple electoral victories and key leadership roles. He began his journey in 1992 when he was elected as a Member of the Ratnagiri Zilla Parishad.
In 1995, he entered state politics by getting elected as a Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, a position he successfully retained in 1999. His political influence continued to grow, leading to his election as a Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council in 2006.
In 2009, he was re-elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and subsequently appointed as the Minister of State for Urban Development, Forest, Port, Sports, Parliamentary Affairs, Youth Welfare, Ex-Defence Welfare, Fisheries, and Law & Order. He was also designated as the Guardian Minister of Ratnagiri District in the same year.
In 2013, he took on a significant leadership role as the Maharashtra State President of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). From June 11, 2013, to September 26, 2014, he served as the Minister of State for Forests, Ports, Khar Lands, Parliamentary Affairs, Sports & Youth Welfare, Ex-Servicemen Welfare, and Law & Judiciary.
His stronghold in state politics was reaffirmed when he was re-elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 2014, 2019, and again in 2024. Following the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, he was appointed as the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Group Leader for the newly elected MLAs, solidifying his position as a key political figure in the state.
The content of the letter is given below:
To,
Honorable Speaker,
Shiv Sena Central Office
Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray
E-400 038
Email: haven@gmail.com
E-400 015
Maharashtra Legislative Assembly,
Vidhan Bhavan, Mumbai
Date: 03/03/2025
With regards, Jai Maharashtra
Respected Sir,
Subject: Recommendation for the position of Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly
On February 28, 2025, a meeting of members of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction was held at Matoshree Bungalow, Kalanagar, Bandra East, Mumbai, where the following resolution was passed:
Resolution:
"This House grants full authority to Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Party Chief, Honorable Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, to decide the name of the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly. The name proposed by him to the Honorable Speaker will be accepted by all of us."
In accordance with this resolution, I recommend the name of Shri Bhaskar Sumitra Bhaurao Jadhav for the post of Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
I request you to kindly approve this recommendation.
(1) (Copy to):
Maharashtra Legislature Secretariat, Mumbai
Vidhan Bhavan, Mumbai/Nagpur
Yours sincerely,
Uddhav Thackeray
(Party Chief)
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)