New Delhi: The Shiv Sena on Saturday claimed that two newly elected Lok Sabha members from Uddhav Thackeray's faction are in contact with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Shiv Sena spokesperson Naresh Mhaske, during a press conference, declined to name these two members due to the anti-defection law but mentioned that four more lawmakers are expected to join them in crossing over to Shinde's party.

Mhaske, the newly elected Lok Sabha member from Thane, stated that the two members were unhappy with how Uddhav Thackeray sought votes from a particular community who arrived in busloads.

He added that these two members, along with four more soon, would support Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi.

These comments follow claims by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut that MLAs and MPs from the Shinde faction were eager to return to Thackeray's side.

The Shinde-led Shiv Sena has won seven Lok Sabha seats, while the Thackeray faction has secured nine seats.