Maharashtra Revenue Minister Narayan Rane, whose open criticism of the Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has created political instability in the state, walked out of the cabinet meeting on Wednesday and headed for his home district Sindhudurg where a massive public reception is planned for him.

It was for the first time that both Rane and Deshmukh came face to face with each other. Rane was uneasy during the meeting and left midway while important policy decisions were being discussed.

Rane has already received mild admonishment from the party high command for his anti-Deshmukh remarks, but being a former Shiv Sena leader, he is unlikely to keep quite. Speculations are rife about the return of Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde in place of Deshmukh.