Nagpur, June 17 -- Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday rejected the allegations that BJP was involved in triggering defections within the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), saying that the party has no connection with this.

"BJP has no relation with where Uddhav Thackeray's MPs go. Uddhav Thackeray should know why his MPs or MLAs are leaving him. If they are going to Eknath Shinde, then it is a matter related to him. Neither our CM nor any of our leaders have any connection with this. Why should the BJP be dragged into this?," the senior BJP leader said.

His remarks came amid the growing speculation that a group of Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs could break away and form a separate group.

Speaking on the Shiv Sena (UBT) ...