The Supreme Court issued notices to the Lok Sabha Speaker's office and six rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs on Arvind Sawant's plea challenging their merger with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. The court, however, declined to stay the Speaker's decision
Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to guard against illegal defections, as rumors swirl that six out of their nine Lok Sabha MPs are preparing to jump ship to the Eknath Shinde-led faction
Arvind Sawant has urged Om Birla to block any recognition of a breakaway Shiv Sena(UBT) faction amid defection rumours. Citing anti-defection laws and Supreme Court rulings, he warned that any split without party merger would invite disqualification of MPs
