Final Up to date:August 01, 2025, 09:26 IST
As a substitute of stepping down, Kokate has merely been reassigned. The federal government’s choice to shift his tasks, reasonably than take away him, is being seen as a symbolic gesture
In a transfer that has sparked each satire and criticism, Maharashtra Minister Manikrao Kokate has been divested of the all-important Agriculture Ministry after a viral video confirmed him enjoying rummy on his cell phone contained in the state meeting. The incident triggered widespread outrage, particularly given the state’s ongoing agrarian misery.
Late on Thursday night time, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis issued the order for a change in Kokate’s portfolio, sending a transparent message to all ministers that henceforth, if any minister commits a mistake, they are going to face extreme penalties.
The agriculture portfolio has now been handed over to a different NCP minister, Dattatray Bharane, whereas Kokate will take cost of the Sports activities and Youth Welfare Ministry — a publish beforehand held by Bharane.
The controversy erupted when NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar posted a video exhibiting Kokate engaged in a cell sport throughout a legislative session. With farmer points looming giant over the monsoon session, the visuals struck a nerve. Opposition leaders rapidly demanded Kokate’s resignation, calling his actions disrespectful and irresponsible.
Nonetheless, as a substitute of stepping down, Kokate has merely been reassigned. The federal government’s choice to shift his tasks reasonably than take away him has been seen as a symbolic gesture at greatest.
“This isn’t accountability; it’s an eyewash,” mentioned Ambadas Danve, Chief of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. Taking a jibe on the authorities, he sarcastically urged that rummy be declared the state sport and that ministers be formally allowed to hold playing cards into the Meeting.
Kokate is not any stranger to controversy. He had earlier confronted criticism for making tone-deaf remarks about farmers. Now, his informal behaviour within the Meeting, whilst many districts face drought-like situations, has raised recent questions on ministerial accountability.
Social activist Anjali Damania alleged that Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was hesitant to hunt Kokate’s resignation, reportedly as a result of he needed a Shiv Sena minister to resign first to take care of political steadiness. This has fuelled hypothesis of political deal-making behind the scenes.
In the meantime, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana chief Raju Shetti requested pointedly, “Does Kokate hold any secrets that protect him from being sacked?” He emphasised that solely a resignation, not a portfolio swap, would do justice to Maharashtra’s farmers.
Whereas Kokate stays within the cupboard, his diminished function speaks volumes. Whether or not it is a non permanent face-saver or a step in direction of deeper accountability stays to be seen.
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Information politics Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate, Caught Enjoying Rummy In Maha Meeting, Will get Sports activities Portfolio
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