After Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla approved the merger of six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs with Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve called the move illegal and said it would be challenged in court. Ambadas Danve said the decision violated the anti-defection provisions. With this, the strength of Shinde's Sena in Lok Sabha rose to 13.