Will Ajit Pawar Address the Controversy Surrounding Minister Kokate on Monday?

Mumbai, July 24 (NationPress) Amid growing calls for the resignation of Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate due to allegations of playing rummy in the state council and claims that the government is a beggar rather than a supporter of farmers, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar indicated on Thursday that a decision regarding Kokate's resignation would be made following their meeting on Monday.

“Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, and I will collectively decide on this matter,” he stated.

Following Ajit Pawar's comments, Minister Kokate found a brief reprieve, even as opposition parties and numerous farmer organizations organized protests statewide demanding his resignation.

“The information I received regarding the Agriculture Minister's video suggests that the incident occurred within the House. The entire legislative area is under the authority of Council Chairman Ram Shinde and Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar. I am aware that they have initiated an inquiry into the matter. An investigation is currently underway to determine the exact events that transpired. I have not yet met with Minister Manikrao Kokate,” he commented during a media briefing.

“We in the MahaYuti coalition have previously discussed our collective responsibility towards the state, urging everyone to communicate, act, and make decisions judiciously. Such directives have been issued to all alliance ministers and senior leaders from their respective parties. I have previously advised Minister Kokate to act responsibly, and now this is the third instance of controversy. Nevertheless, the minister has maintained that he was not engaged in playing rummy and has addressed this in a press conference. However, clarity will be provided after my meeting with him on Monday,” DCM Pawar remarked.

When asked if he would meet with Chhava Sanghatana leader Vijay Ghadge, who was attacked by NCP workers in Latur, Ajit Pawar responded that anyone is welcome to meet him.

In light of the serious incident, the Deputy Chief Minister has dismissed Suraj Chavan, the head of the state NCP youth wing, from his position.

Regarding the tragic suicide of a young contractor, Harshal Patil from Sangli district, due to unpaid dues of Rs 1.40 crore for the Jal Jeevan Mission project, Ajit Pawar stated that he has already convened a meeting with the contractors' association.

“During the meeting, it was revealed that a contractor had hired a subcontractor who did not fulfill payment obligations. I am gathering more information on this matter. However, the loss of life is tragic. A thorough investigation will be conducted,” he added.

He urged representatives of the contractors' association to provide him with details of contractors with outstanding payments, as there is a payment process in place.

In response to the opposition's attempts to target the government over the 'honey trap' scandal, Ajit Pawar challenged them to present evidence rather than simply issuing threats.