Opposition leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Monday claimed preparations are on to replace Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on "health grounds" after admitting him to a hospital.

He also claimed Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar met in Pune recently amid speculation about Shinde's likely replacement and in view of "talks among MLAs loyal to Ajit that he could be made the chief minister".