Mumbai, Aug. 8 -- Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for meeting with parliamentarians who defected from his faction to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena.

Thackeray's sharp remarks come as the prolonged political and legal battle over the party's split continues to wind its way through the highest court in the country. Pointing to the delayed judicial timeline, Thackeray noted that their disqualification and leadership case has languished for four years, though hearings now appear to be reaching a crucial, continuous final stage.

Against this backdrop, addressing a press conference, Thackeray expressed deep indignation over the Prime Minister's engagements, contrast...