MUMBAI, July 15 -- In a move to challenge the recent defection of its six MPs to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has written to them, saying the party on whose ticket they won the elections has neither initiated, nor agreed to nor permitted any merger with the Sena. The letter claims no merger is permissible under law. The letter, dated July 13, was sent by Sena (UBT) parliamentary party leader Arvind Sawant, who pointed out that the MPs were given tickets by the Sena (UBT) in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. "The election was fought inter alia against candidates set up by the Shiv Sena-led by Eknath Shinde. People in your constituency reposing faith in the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray elected you through the name and symbol of the Shiv Sena (UBT)," the letter states. He also pointed to provisions in paragraph 4 of the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution, regarding mergers. "It is learnt that you had approached the speaker of the Lok Sabha, claiming that you have merged or are seeking recognition of this purported merger," the letter states. Sawant said Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla has not passed any order recognising the MPs' merger claim. The Sena (UBT) has also urged the speaker not to entertain any request for a merger of any group made by any MP elected on the Sena (UBT) symbol. Sena chief and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde said, "Our MPs have thrown the letter into the dustbin. What matters in the house is the two-thirds majority. Six MPs have met the Lok Sabha speaker, submitted their letter, and completed all the required formalities. This is a desperate attempt on their (Sena-UBT) part."...