Absence of former Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse, who had to resign on charges of impropriety last week, was felt at the cabinet meeting held here today.
In an informal chat with reporters at Mantralaya, Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said that Khadse was the senior most and most experienced cabinet colleague and his experience will be sorely missed.
He said the sixth floor office of Khadse will be kept vacant for now.
"Khadse's portfolio has automatically got reverted to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as per norms," Mungantiwar said.
He clarified that daily clearing of files of departments of Revenue, Agriculture and Minority Affairs held by Khadse, are now being done by CM.
"The cabinet members have family relations with Khadse which cannot be ignored," the minister said.
He said Khadse was livid as those who raised allegations of corruption against him since May 13 failed to furnish documentary evidence as demanded by him.
Mungantiwar said that Khadse had offered to quit to prove his innocence. "Moreover, the Chief Minister has set up an inquiry which is transparent in nature," he added.
Replying to a query whether he will take on crucial Revenue portfolio, Mungantiwar said the Chief Minister will hold consultations before allocating any portfolio to any of his cabinet colleague.
The minister clarified that he was currently busy with the responsibility of implementing the 'Namami Chandrabhaga scheme' (cleaning of Chandrabhaga river) and the afforestation drive which envisages planting more than 2 crore saplings in the state on July 1.
To a query, he said the much-awaited expansion of cabinet will take place before June 15.
On reshuffling, Industries Minister and Shiv Sena leader Subhash Desai said the issue of filling up two posts of the ministers of state from the Sena quota will be taken up by party chief Uddhav Thackeray with Fadnavis.
