Maharashtra's Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate is currently facing widespread criticism regarding his alleged involvement in playing rummy games and for his controversial statements about farmers. Opposition parties have taken a b stance on this issue. NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) youth leader Rohit Pawar has bly criticized Kokate's statement and demanded immediate action against him from the government.
Rohit Pawar Angered by Calling Farmers Beggars
Rohit Pawar stated that the Agriculture Minister neither understands the problems of farmers nor shows any sensitivity towards them. He said that ministers like Kokate, who address farmers with words like 'beggars,' have no right to remain in a constitutional position. Rohit Pawar also added that it remains to be seen what stance Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar takes on this controversy.
Rohit Pawar also taunted Minister Kokate's comment in which he described himself as being very 'clever.' Rohit said that he is continuously working on issues related to farmers, women, youth, and Maharashtra's identity. He added that if Minister Kokate is only using his position to play games, then it is an insult to the farmers of the state.
Kokate Calls it a Minor Issue
Meanwhile, responding to the allegations against him, Manikrao Kokate clarified that he never played online rummy, nor is his bank account or mobile number linked to any gaming app. Describing the controversy as a 'minor issue,' he said that if any allegations against him are proven, he will submit his resignation to the Governor.
Kokate also said that he has demanded an investigation into the entire matter and will not offer any explanation if found guilty, but will directly resign from his post.
Controversy Reaches Delhi
The rummy game controversy is no longer limited to Maharashtra politics. On Tuesday, during the Parliament session, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MP Supriya Sule and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) MP Arvind Sawant, along with several other opposition leaders, met with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. They demanded strict action against Kokate and said that such irresponsible statements have hurt the dignity of farmers.
The opposition says that such behavior from the Agriculture Minister is unacceptable and the state government should take serious steps on this.
