Political Fallout Over Agriculture Minister’s Video
Two days after a video of Maharashtra’s agriculture minister, Manikrao Kokate, playing a card game on his mobile phone in the legislative council went viral, he faced criticism from top leaders. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Maharashtra NCP president Sunil Tatkare both expressed their disapproval, calling the incident inappropriate and unbecoming for a minister.
Kokate, a five-term NCP MLA, claimed that he was merely trying to view the assembly proceedings on YouTube when a card game ad appeared on his screen. However, this explanation has not been enough to quell the backlash. He is expected to address the issue publicly on Tuesday morning.
Fadnavis emphasized that ministers are expected to take legislative business seriously, even if it is not on the agenda. He criticized the video, stating that while Kokate tried to clarify that the rummy game popped up on his mobile screen, the incident was indecorous. “Even though he tried to clarify that the rummy game popped up on his mobile screen, what happened was indecorous,” Fadnavis said.
Tatkare echoed these sentiments during a press interaction in Dharashiv. He described the incident as unbecoming and highlighted the challenges faced by farmers. “Farmers are in distress. In such a situation, the state agriculture minister is expected to work for them all the time. The party will take an appropriate decision on it,” he stated.
Kokate has a history of controversial remarks despite his role as agriculture minister. In January, he claimed there was “3% to 4% corruption in every government scheme.” In February, he compared farmers to beggars, saying, “Nowadays, even beggars do not even accept a single rupee but the government offers crop insurance to farmers for just one rupee.” In April, he sparked another controversy by accusing farmers of deliberately defaulting on crop loans to get waivers and using the money for weddings and engagements.
Another Controversy: NCP Youth President Resigns
In a separate incident, Ajit Pawar, the leader of the NCP, took strict action against the party’s youth president, Suraj Chavan. Chavan was seen thrashing an activist from the Chhava Sangathana, a Maratha community organization, after the activist hurled a pack of playing cards on the table of NCP state chief Sunil Tatkare. This incident occurred during a protest demanding the resignation of agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate.
The Chhava Sangathana represents the Maratha community, and its members held protests across the state, demanding action against Kokate and Chavan. They also raised slogans against Tatkare and tore NCP posters.
Ajit Pawar condemned the incident, calling it “extremely serious and condemnable.” He instructed Chavan to resign immediately, stating that such behavior goes against the party’s values. “The strict action has been taken because of his behaviour, which goes against the values of the party, which will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” he added.
Vijay Ghatge, the activist who was injured in the incident and is currently being treated in a Latur hospital, demanded Kokate’s resignation. “Chavan’s resignation has no value in our eyes,” he said. “Is Ajit Pawar trying to fool us?”
Chavan, considered a close aide of Ajit Pawar, had remained with him during the NCP split and was later appointed as the state youth president. Tatkare confirmed that Chavan had submitted his resignation.
