Speculations about a cabinet reshuffle are rife in Maharashtra as after NCP chief Sharad Pawar, health minister Nana Patole was spotted at ‘Varsha’ to meet chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.

Patole said Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Pawar and Thackeray will take a call on cabinet reshuffle. “You’ll get to know about it soon.”

However, NCP leader and Cabinet Minister Nawab Malik told reporters this is a routine review meeting. “Discussion is taking place on the current political situation. We will let you know whatever happens.”

Another NCP leader and minister Jayant Patil also said that all is well within the MVA government and this is only a periodic review meeting.

The meeting comes a month after minister Sanjay Rathod, facing flak from the opposition BJP after being linked to a woman’s death, resigned from the state cabinet. Talking to reporters after meeting the chief minister at his official residence Varsha, Rathod said he had resigned to facilitate a free and fair probe. “Attempts were made to tarnish my image and destroy my reputation I had built after 30 years of social work. I was saying that let the probe happen before taking any decision. But the opposition threatened to disrupt the budget session,” Rathod said.

On December 30 last year, around 36 ministers — including those of Cabinet Minister and Minister of State ranks — were inducted. Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari will administer the oath to the new team around noon in the Maharashtra Legislature precinct.

The total strength of the ministry of Maharashtra cabinet is around 40, including the chief minister.