MUMBAI, June 18 -- Amid the swirling speculation about a possible split in the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT)'s MPs, concerns have intensified within the party over the loyalty of several legislators as well, with the rival Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction claiming that some are in touch with them. According to party sources, a section of these could eventually break away and form a separate group. Sena (UBT) insiders admitted that the fresh speculation was what had prompted the party leadership to convene a meeting of its MLAs and MLCs on June 22. Party sources, while not disclosing any names, also said that Uddhav Thackeray personally called several legislators on Wednesday and interacted with them amid the defection buzz. The Sena (UBT) won 20 seats in the last assembly elections and currently has six members in the legislative council. With a section of the party's MPs considering a split, there is growing speculation that legislators too have been approached. "Except for four MLAs, all the other 16 are vulnerable and are in touch with us," a senior Shiv Sena insider claimed. "They will be asked to leave the party at an appropriate time." The four legislators believed to be firmly with the party are Uddhav's son Aaditya Thackeray, nephew Varun Sardesai, senior leader Sanjay Raut's brother Sunil Raut and former Mumbai mayor Sunil Prabhu. Thackeray's meeting at the party's Nariman Point headquarters, Shivalaya, coincides with the first day of the legislature's monsoon session. He is expected to jointly address the party's MLAs and MLCs. "It is also meant to reassure the party cadre that the situation remains under control," a Sena (UBT) leader said. A similar attempt to call a meeting of Sena (UBT) MPs on Sunday turned out to be a disaster when only four of the nine MPs attended in person. The party continues to claim that the other five attended virtually, which is being contested, as speculation persists that several MPs may switch their allegiance to Eknath Shinde. Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab dismissed the reports. "No one has contacted our legislators and they are already in touch with us," he told HT. "Uddhav Thackeray has called a meeting on June 22 and everyone will come to know the truth then."...