Mumbai, Dec 18 (NationPress) In response to increasing pressure from opposition parties, Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar has officially accepted the resignation of party minister Manikrao Kokate. This comes after a court issued an arrest warrant against Kokate due to his involvement in a housing fraud case.

Kokate resigned on Wednesday following a sessions court's decision to sentence him to two years' imprisonment related to the Nashik housing fraud case.

On the same night, Kokate was relieved of his responsibilities in the Sports and Minority Affairs departments, retaining only his ministerial title without any assigned portfolio.

Currently, Kokate is receiving medical care at Lilavati Hospital after reporting health issues. He has also approached the Bombay High Court for relief against the sessions court's ruling.

In a message posted on X, Ajit Pawar remarked: "Maharashtra Cabinet Minister and my party colleague Shri Manikrao Kokate has tendered his resignation to me following the court's verdict. Upholding our party's commitment to the rule of law, I have accepted the resignation in principle. I have sent it to the Hon’ble Chief Minister for his consideration and acceptance, as per constitutional norms."

Pawar emphasized that the party upholds values of constitutional morality, institutional integrity, and respect for the judiciary. He stated, "We firmly adhere to the rule of law and will continue to act in ways that uphold democratic principles and public trust."

This decision came after a lengthy meeting early Thursday morning with party working president Praful Patel and state chief Sunil Tatkare.

Manikrao Kokate, a five-time MLA from the Sinnar constituency in Nashik district, has a history of shifting political allegiances. His position in the legislature may be jeopardized if the High Court upholds the sessions court's ruling.

The sessions court confirmed his conviction for illegally acquiring government flats through forged documents and sentenced him to two years in prison. An arrest warrant was subsequently issued against Kokate.

He faces immediate arrest unless the High Court intervenes to stay the conviction.

Amid these legal troubles, Kokate's health has declined, leading to his hospitalization. He missed the weekly cabinet meeting at Mantralaya on Wednesday.

Kokate's legal representatives informed the court of his hospitalization and requested a four-day stay on the arrest. However, the court denied this request, citing the absence of a medical certificate and stating that Kokate should have been present during the verdict.

Kokate has filed an appeal with the Mumbai High Court to contest the sessions court's ruling, seeking an urgent hearing and a stay on his sentence.

The High Court is expected to address the matter on Friday.

This case traces back to 1995 and involves allegations of misappropriation of flats intended for low-income individuals under the Chief Minister's quota.

Both Manikrao Kokate and his brother Vijay Kokate were accused of submitting fraudulent documents to obtain two flats in the Nirman View Apartment in Nashik.

Investigations revealed that they were also using two other flats in the same building that belonged to different beneficiaries.

Following an inquiry by the district administration, Vishwanath Patil, a former official of the Urban Land Ceiling (ULC) department, lodged a complaint, leading to the registration of a fraud case at Sarkarwada Police Station against four individuals, including the Kokate brothers.

The court sentenced them to two years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 each.

Since joining the cabinet, Kokate has faced multiple controversies, including losing the Agriculture portfolio after allegations arose that he was distracted by mobile games during a Legislative Council session. While he denied the claims, they sparked significant backlash.

He also faced criticism for controversial comments regarding farmers, suggesting that "even a beggar does not accept one rupee, yet we offer crop insurance for just one rupee, while some exploit it unjustly."

During a municipal election campaign, Kokate labeled coalition partner BJP as a "corrupt party" that survives by undermining others while neglecting its own members.

Earlier this year, another NCP minister, Dhananjay Munde, resigned after his aide was implicated in the murder of Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district.