Overview
- Only Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde attended the cabinet meeting, while his Sena ministers remained in Mantralaya and later met Devendra Fadnavis to object to defections in Kalyan-Dombivli.
- Fadnavis reportedly reminded Sena leaders that they had earlier inducted BJP workers in Ulhasnagar and said alliance partners should refrain from cross-inductions going forward.
- BJP minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said there was no boycott, noting several BJP ministers were also absent due to local poll work, and said both sides agreed not to take each other’s workers.
- Ajit Pawar downplayed any rift, saying he did not sense disgruntlement during the meeting, even as tensions linger ahead of civic polls including the BMC.
- Separately, the Congress confirmed it will contest the BMC on its own and accused the BJP of religious polarisation, a move that drew sharp criticism from Shiv Sena (UBT) in Saamana.