Lok Sabha Speaker Approves Merger of Rebel MPs with Shinde Camp

The Lok Sabha Speaker has approved the merger of six rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, a move that the Sena (UBT) has deemed illegal and vowed to challenge. Separately, TMC rebel leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay met with Prime Minister Modi after receiving the Speaker's nod.