India, June 22 -- In a major political setback for Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, six of the party's nine Lok Sabha MPs joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in Mumbai on Monday, capping days of intense speculation over a possible split in the parliamentary wing.

The MPs who crossed over are Omraje Nimbalkar (Dharashiv), Sanjay Dina Patil (Mumbai North-East), Sanjay Jadhav (Parbhani), Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal-Washim), Nagesh Patil Ashtikar (Hingoli) and Bhausaheb Vakchaure (Shirdi).

The rebel group constitutes two-thirds of Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Lok Sabha strength, allowing them to avoid disqualification under the anti-defection provisions.

Shinde hails switch as completion of 'Operation Tiger'

Welcoming the MPs into his factio...