Faisal Malik

Under the anti-defection law, at least six of the nine Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs would need to move together to form a separate group without being disqualified.

Mumbai, June 18 -- Maharashtra was gripped by its third political crisis in four years on Wednesday after the Shiv Sena said that six out of the

The Shiv Sena, led by deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, said that six rebel Sena (UBT) MPs had signed a letter stating they had formed a separate group.

Party sources, while not disclosing any names, also said that Uddhav Thackeray personally called several legislators on Wednesday and interacted with them amid the defection buzz

The Sena (UBT)'s group leader in the Lok Sabha, Arvind Sawant, on Wednesday issued a whip, asking all nine Lok Sabha MPs to attend a meeting of the party's parliamentary unit at 11 am on Thursday in New Delhi

The party issued show-cause notices to the six MPs, who wrote to Lok Sabha speaker and said they feared that the party would be merged with the Congress.

Since the breakaway group consists of six MPs, they will not attract the provisions of the anti-defection law as they comprise two-thirds of the Sena (UBT)'s nine Lok Sabha MPs. If the merger goes through, it would take the Sena's strength in the Lok Sabha to 13

Accusations of fund allocation discrimination are escalating among Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs, who claim political motivations in development funding under the Mahayuti government.

Former home minister Padamsingh Patil and seven others were acquitted in a 2006 murder case. The victim's family plans to appeal; CBI will challenge the verdict.

India, June 21 -- Amid the controversy over the rebellion of six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs, allegations of discrimination in development fund allocation have gained fresh momentum.