When Will the Decision on Maha Agriculture Minister's Resignation be Made?

Mumbai, July 21 (NationPress) The Maharashtra NCP chief, Sunil Tatkare, suggested on Monday that the decision regarding the resignation of Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate will be taken soon by the party president and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. This comes after a controversial viral video surfaced, showing Kokate allegedly playing rummy on his mobile phone during the recently concluded monsoon session of the state legislature.

The Chhava Sanghatana, a non-profit organization, has already called for Kokate’s resignation, criticizing his indifference towards farmers. They have organized spontaneous protests throughout the state, featuring card games on main roads and outside NCP offices.

The Shiv Sena UBT also participated in a protest, demanding Kokate's resignation by playing cards. The NCP, led by Sharad Pawar, has questioned Ajit Pawar regarding the timeline for Kokate’s resignation.

Tatkare, speaking from Dharashiv (formerly Osmanabad), expressed his dissatisfaction with Kokate’s actions, stating, "When farmers face difficulties, the Agriculture Minister should be focused on resolving their issues. His actions were inappropriate, and the party leader will make the right call regarding Kokate's future."

He also emphasized his skepticism regarding Kokate’s explanation. Tatkare has shifted the responsibility onto Ajit Pawar.

Facing pressure from Chhava Sanghatana and opposition parties, Kokate accused NCP SP legislator Rohit Pawar of sharing an edited version of the video online.

In his defense, Kokate explained, "Once the state council was adjourned, I used my mobile to check YouTube for updates about the assembly. Several ads appeared that I had to skip. The clip circulating on social media was only 18 seconds long. The opposition critiques my attire and vehicle but never acknowledges my policy decisions or initiatives supporting agricultural advancement and farmer welfare. I am clear: there’s no reason for me to play cards."

In response, state NCP SP women’s wing chief Rohini Khadse questioned Ajit Pawar's delay in accepting Kokate’s resignation.

In her post on X, she stated, "Ajit Pawar accepted the resignation of the youth state president who overreacted during protests seeking Kokate's resignation, which is a positive step. However, he shouldn't settle for superficial fixes like merely addressing smaller issues. We demand the resignation of the arrogant Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate, as he is at the center of this controversy. An irresponsible minister who disrespects the assembly and farmers must go."

This isn’t Kokate's first brush with controversy. Earlier this year, he and his brother Vijay Kokate were sentenced to two years in prison by the Nashik District Court for submitting fraudulent documents to acquire government quota flats.

Kokate faced charges of forgery and fraud related to obtaining housing for economically weaker sections under a quota reserved for MLAs and MPs, following a complaint lodged by former minister Tukaram Dighole back in 1995.

According to existing legal guidelines, if any elected official is sentenced to two years or more, they can lose their MLA status. However, Kokate managed to maintain both his ministerial and MLA positions after the court issued a stay on the sentence.

Previously, Kokate ignited outrage with his comments about farmers, stating, "Even a beggar won’t accept a single rupee; yet we offer crop insurance for just one rupee, and some people exploit this opportunity." He further claimed that applicants from outside Maharashtra were misusing the scheme.

In April, Kokate made another controversial claim, suggesting that farmers intentionally avoid repaying crop loans, saying, "You take loans and don’t repay them for five to ten years, thinking the government will forgive them. Farmers are no longer investing in agriculture. The government provides aid for everything from drip irrigation to ponds and pipelines."

He also sparked criticism with remarks regarding assessments during panchnama when fields are damaged due to unseasonal rains and floods.

NCP chief Ajit Pawar and senior leadership had previously reprimanded Kokate, urging him to steer clear of making such inflammatory statements.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Raut, a Shiv Sena MP, criticized Kokate, stating, "Maharashtra is being governed in an inhumane manner. Over 650 farmers have committed suicide in Maharashtra in the last three months. Recently, two farmers walked from Latur to Mumbai to seek assistance for their issues. Our Agriculture Minister seems indifferent to their concerns. Analyzing his statements reveals the government’s minimal contribution to the agricultural sector."