India, June 19 -- It was in June 2022 that Eknath Shinde split the Shiv Sena, pulled down the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government, and formed a government with the BJP in Maharashtra. Four years later, in June 2026, Shinde struck again, fanning rebellion among Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs, six of whom are now likely to join his party.

Adding these rebel MPs to the Sena's seven in the Lok Sabha would take Shinde's tally to 13. It would also make the Sena the fourth-largest in the BJP-led NDA government at the centre. These numbers are particularly important as the NDA is intent on getting the delimitation bill passed in Parliament but lacks the two-thirds' majority required to effect a constitutional amendment. Shinde saw an opportunity to boost t...