India, June 23 -- Capping a week of high drama and bitter accusations, the six rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs joined the Shiv Sena in the presence of party chief and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde on Monday, with the Sena claiming the formalities needed for the breakaway group to cross over were complete.

"The required process has been completed. All six MPs have joined the Shiv Sena. Operation Tiger is a success," announced Shinde, at a press meet at the Y B Chavan Centre in South Mumbai.

The six MPs - Sanjay Jadhav, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, Sanjay Deshmukh, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Omraje Nimbalkar and Sanjay Dina Patil - were present on the dais as Shinde made the announcement.

Asked whether Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla has formally recogni...