The Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs who are rebelling against the faction were a no-show at the party's 60th foundation day event, fuelling speculation of a split in the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction.
The six rebel MPs are reportedly in the process of forming their own group and joining the Shiv Sena faction led by former Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde.
Uddhav Thackeray clarified on reports of a potential merger with the Congress, saying, 'We didn't merge with BJP after 30 years. Why would we merge with Congress?'
He also expressed willingness to step down as party leader, condemning the BJP for trying to 'finish off' the Shiv Sena.
The Uddhav Sena is facing a big crisis in Maharashtra, with the six rebel Lok Sabha MPs skipping a parliamentary party meeting and the Maharashtra intelligence department providing security to the rebel MPs.
