After Chief Minister Eknath Shinde skipped the government functions in Shirdi and Rahuri where Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and others shared the dais on Friday, his office clarified that he had been advised to rest following an eye surgery.

Speculations were rife that Shinde cancelled the tour in the backdrop of his party's tussle for having a better seat share in the Assembly elections, in which the BJP is expected to contest 155-160 seats.