Several Sena UBT MLAs in touch with Eknath Shinde

Mumbai: Maharashtra's deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena is planning to give a jolt to Sena UBT in the assembly too, with several of its 20 MLAs ready to form a separate group or join Shiv Sena.

"If Shinde succeeds in getting the Sena UBT MPs to switch sides, then in a span of two months a large section of UBT MLAs would also change allegiance. It is not in the realm of speculation; it is almost a done deal," a source said.

Possibly aware of the mood, the UBT camp - after knowing that MPs were approached and could join Shinde's party - called a meeting of the party MPs at Uddhav Thackeray's Matoshree residence. Significantly, Thackeray has also called a meeting of his MLAs and MLCs on June 22. A flurry of activities from the Thackeray camp is indicative that it is aware of what Shinde is up to.