Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate's video went viral, showing him playing a game on his mobile during the Legislative Assembly session. Following this, Ajit Pawar has recommended changing his department. The controversy is deepening.
Maharashtra: Maharashtra politics is once again in the headlines, and this time the matter is related to Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate. Amidst the agrarian crisis, a video of Minister Kokate has surfaced, causing an uproar, in which he is seen playing Rummy on his mobile during the Legislative Assembly session. After this controversy, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has written a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recommending the change of Kokate's department.
Video of playing Rummy goes viral, Opposition on the attack
NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Rohit Pawar shared a video on social media in which Manikrao Kokate is seen busy on his mobile screen during the Legislative Assembly session. It is alleged that he was playing an online Rummy game at that time. As soon as the video surfaced, opposition parties bly criticized it and termed it insensitive behavior towards farmers.
Political pressure and farmer suicide figures
The लगातार increase in farmer suicide incidents in Maharashtra has made this controversy even more serious. The opposition says that while an average of eight farmers are committing suicide every day in the state, the Agriculture Minister is busy playing games in the House. This has been described as injustice to the farmers and insensitivity of the government.
Kokate's defense and counter-attack
Kokate has denied these allegations, saying that he was not playing Rummy, but trying to close a Solitaire game pop-up. He claimed that the video was made viral to defame him. Along with this, he also warned of legal action. However, the subsequent investigation report made it clear that he continued to play the game for about 18 to 22 minutes.
Deputy CM's intervention and possible department change
After this entire controversy, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has written a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in which a change of Kokate's department has been recommended. According to sources, Manikrao Kokate may be given the Sports Ministry, while Dattatraya Bharane may be made the new Agriculture Minister.
Preparation for change after apology and warning
Although initially Ajit Pawar had expected Kokate to resign, after Kokate apologized and said that he would not repeat such behavior in the future, he was let off with a warning. Now the preparation for a change in department clearly indicates that the government is not satisfied with Kokate's conduct.
