Why is the Mahayuti Government Not Demanding Manikrao Kokate's Resignation?

Mumbai, Aug 1 (NationPress) The Opposition has raised serious concerns regarding the BJP-led Mahayuti government and specifically the NCP headed by Ajit Pawar for failing to demand the resignation of Minister Manikrao Kokate. Instead, they only removed him from the agriculture ministry following a controversial viral video that surfaced, showing him playing rummy inside the Assembly.

Kokate has categorically denied these allegations.

Despite the mounting pressure for his resignation, Kokate has been reassigned to oversee the departments of sports, youth welfare, minority affairs, and Auqaf. In a strategic move to mitigate further embarrassment, Dattatray Bharane, previously responsible for sports, youth welfare, minority affairs, and Auqaf, has now taken over as the new agriculture minister.

Parties like NCP(SP), Congress, and Shiv Sena(UBT) have expressed hopes that Kokate will act with greater responsibility and that the new agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane will focus on supporting the distressed farming community.

NCP(SP) legislator Rohit Pawar, who shared Kokate’s rummy video on social media, emphasized the importance of ministerial roles. He stated that if those in such positions fail to act responsibly, the repercussions will be felt by the general populace.

“Rather than accepting Manikrao Kokate’s resignation, the government chose to reassign him away from Agriculture to Sports. The Sports Department is critical for the youth, and it is imperative that Kokate learns from past errors and utilizes his experience effectively within this framework. Meanwhile, we expect new Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane to prioritize the needs of farmers and eliminate the controversies that have clouded this department,” remarked Rohit Pawar.

He further indicated that mismanagement in any sector affects the common people, making the entire government accountable. “The leadership should not assume that merely changing a department absolves them of accountability. We are closely monitoring all sectors and will continue to do so. Maharashtra will not tolerate insensitivity from any minister, and it is crucial for all ministers to act with responsibility,” he warned.

In a contrasting view, NCP(SP) working president and MP Supriya Sule remarked, “Given the complete collapse of the agricultural sector in the state, how can Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate, who is seen playing rummy in the legislature, genuinely address farmers' challenges? It raises serious questions about the ruling party’s commitment when they merely alter the portfolio of the Agriculture Minister to shield him from repercussions. It should concern the honorable Chief Minister that someone oblivious to their responsibilities remains in the cabinet.”

“The honorable Minister, who has tarnished the state's image by labeling the Maharashtra government as a 'beggar', should be dismissed by the Chief Minister. Rewarding him with the Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare after being caught playing rummy in the legislature is utterly baffling. This lays bare the government's true priorities. While the youth face ruin due to online rummy, appointing Manikrao Kokate to a vital portfolio is little more than a cruel joke. I urge the honorable Chief Minister to accept Kokate's resignation and work towards safeguarding the state's reputation,” Sule stated on X.

The Congress party also criticized the Mahayuti government and the NCP for assigning the Department of Sports to Manikrao Kokate.

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Sachin Sawant quipped, “If Junglee Rummy is to be considered the official sport of Maharashtra, we should take no issue. After all, it’s the new Sports Minister's favorite pastime. They spend much of their day practicing it. The state government lacks an agenda for job creation, so the minister can conduct training sessions for the public to earn money. And if funding runs dry... Well, it used to be farmers committing suicide, now it could be others! Isn’t that so? Maharashtra is set to embrace Junglee Rummy.”

Shiv Sena(UBT) leader Ambadas Danve criticized the government’s decision to reallocate the controversial Minister Kokate’s portfolio. In his post on X, Danve asserted, “Playing with worn-out coins on a scrap cart, new ministers will now deal cards by the dozen. Farmers have been neglected, and now athletes will be overlooked too. No medals, only expectations from ‘rummy’. Apologize again and again; this tactic works well. Why fear anyone when the boss is at Varsha bungalow (CM’s residence)? Crooked words and actions keep the ministers’ crown intact. There’s no need for the field now; just sit and play rummy, oh king.”