India, June 18 -- Shiv Sena (UBT) appeared headed for another major setback after 6 of its 9 Lok Sabha MPs skipped a parliamentary party meeting in Delhi, fuelling speculation that they are preparing to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Only MPs Arvind Sawant, Anil Desai and Rajabhau Waje attended the meeting, along with Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. The absence of the six MPs strengthened reports of a split within the party's parliamentary wing.

The MPs who stayed away from the meeting are Nagesh Aashtikar, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar and Bhausaheb Wakchaure. Sources said the six leaders have signed a letter seeking a merger with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and submitted it to Lok Sabha Spe...