India, March 4 -- The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has all but reached a consensus on which party will claim the posts of leader of the opposition (LOP) in the legislative assembly and council. While the Shiv Sena (UBT), the largest party within the MVA alliance, is set to claim LOP in the assembly, the Congress is likely to stake its claim to the LOP post in the legislative council, currently held by the Sena (UBT).

But even if the MVA agrees on this formula, it may not play out as seamlessly as the coalition hopes. Sources say there's a strong chance the ruling Mahayuti alliance could stonewall the Sena (UBT) by insisting on the '10% norm', a grey area in state assemblies.

On the LOP formula, still being discussed by the MVA, fo...