Mumbai: Sticking to its old war-horse, Shiv Sena-BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) saffron combine today (Oct 30, 2004) retained Sena veteran, Narayan Rane as the Opposition leader in Maharashtra Assembly.

Rane, known for his aggression on the floor of the House, would continue to be the Opposition leader, the Sena supremo Bal Thackeray announced in party mouthpiece "Saamna" in Mumbai.

Rane, following his brief stint of nearly six months as the Chief Minister, was made the Opposition leader in October 1999 after the Congress-NCP (Nationalist Congress Party)-led DF (Democratic Front) Government came to power.

At the time when DF alliance had a wafer-thin majority in the 288-member lower house, the Sena leader kept the ruling combine on its toes.

May it be matter related to State finances, drought or malnutrition, Rane made efforts to corner the DF Government.

After the October 16 polls, however, there were intense media speculations that senior Sena leader Subhash Desai, known for his proximity to party's executive president Uddhav Thackeray, may pip Rane from the Opposition leader's post.

Desai himself had to clarify by issuing a statement that he was not in the race and the matter would be decided by the party supremo.