Six Lok Sabha MPs from Uddhav Thackeray's faction have officially joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde stated the move is lawful and these MPs will contest using the Shiv Sena symbol. He emphasized that this signifies a second phase of party members rejoining them, driven by adherence to Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology. One MP cited harassment by a UBT Sena leader as his reason for switching.