India, July 18 -- Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla approved the merger of six Shiv Sena (UBT) lawmakers with Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde-led Sena and allotted a separate seating arrangement for the 20 rebel Trinamool Congress MPs ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament.

The rebels' plan to secure recognition as members of the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), a nondescript party based in West Bengal and Tripura, still waits clearance from the Lok Sabha's top office.

A senior official claimed that the merger issue of the TMC rebels is "under consideration" and "an appropriate decision would be taken shortly". Two TMC rebels told HT they are hopeful that it will be approved in a day or two.

The ruling National ...