Sharad Pawar rules out split in NCP (SP) amid speculation of MPs contact with rival camp

Sharad Pawar expressed confidence in his party's unity, stating none of his MPs will defect, unlike Shiv Sena (UBT) where six MPs joined Eknath Shinde's faction. Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders met the Lok Sabha Speaker, urging him to hear them before acting on any party splits. Shinde welcomed the MPs, calling it the second phase of saving Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology.