Mumbai, Dec. 31 -- Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was absent from the state cabinet's final meeting of the year, triggering political speculation amid ongoing municipal corporation election negotiations.
While discussions in political circles suggested his absence reflected displeasure over the BJP allegedly keeping alliance talks hanging, Minister Uday Samant clarified that Shinde was absent due to health issues.
In the run-up to the municipal elections, the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and the BJP have managed to forge alliances in 11 municipal corporations, while the alliance has broken down in 18 others.
Shiv Sena leaders at the local level have accused the BJP of having a pre-planned strategy in areas where the alliance failed, a...