Sunday, July 24 2005 11:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yesterday (July 23, 2005) accused its ally Shiv Sena of reneging on its promise of offering them the post of the Leader of the Opposition in Maharashtra, which was vacated by expelled Sena leader Narayan Rane.

BJP staked its claim for the post after the Sena failed to muster the required numbers in the wake of Rane's expulsion amid reports that some of his supporters might align with him.

"Sena yesterday (July 22, 2005) staked its claim for the post. This is breach of promise", state BJP chief Nitin Gadkari told reporters in Mumbai.

He said there were 'extreme feelings' among BJP workers on Sena's decision to stake claim for the post despite giving BJP the go-ahead for the post Friday.

"Sena chief Bal Thackeray had in fact spoken to Munde by the phone this morning and given his blessings," Gadkari said.

He also said that the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders in the state were 'conspiring' against the BJP to 'deprive' it of the post of Leader of Opposition.

"Learning from their experience in the past when Gopinath Munde, as Leader of Opposition, had helped turn public opinion against their misrule, these (Congress and NCP) leaders conspired to keep him away from the post, vacated by Narayan Rane on July 12", Gadkari said.

BJP had decided to boycott the Chief Minister's tea party organised to mark conclusion of the session today, he said.

"This is our protest against the role played by Congress and NCP leaders to prevent Munde from occupying the post", he added.