India, June 18 -- The crisis within the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) deepened on Thursday, with dissidents citing fears of a possible merger with the Congress as the trigger for their revolt, and Maharashtra authorities extending enhanced security cover to six lawmakers at the centre of the rebellion.

The developments mark the third major political split in Maharashtra in four years, following the Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party breakaways in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The latest turmoil comes just days after 20 rebel Trinamool Congress MPs proposed merging with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India and extending support to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), fuelling speculation about fresh political r...