Manikrao Kokate seeks inquiry into viral video alleging mobile gaming during Maharashtra Assembly session

Sharad Pawar-led NCP MLA Rohit Pawar shared a video showing Minister Kokate playing a mobile game during the legislature session. PIC/X

Ajit Pawar-led NCP MLA and minister Manikrao Kokate claimed he would request the government and state legislature heads to initiate an inquiry into a video circulating on the social media platform X, allegedly showing him playing a mobile game during a state legislature session.

On Tuesday, Kokate said he would write to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, and Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde. "I will be asking for an inquiry to determine whether I was playing a game or not. If the inquiry report finds me guilty, I will resign during the Nagpur winter session (to be held in December)," Kokate told reporters.

The minister further demanded a probe into the CDR and phone details of all those involved in the incident, suggesting it could be a deliberate attempt to malign him. "Everyone responsible - from the person who recorded the video to those who made it viral - will face court proceedings for damaging my reputation," Kokate warned.

On Sunday morning, Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction MLA Rohit Pawar posted a video on the platform X allegedly showing Kokate, MLA from the Sinnar constituency, playing cards (Rummy) during the legislative council session. Kokate denied the allegation, claiming it was a YouTube advertisement that popped up when he opened his phone to follow the house proceedings. "I don't know how to play Rummy," said the agriculture minister.

On Monday, Ajit Pawar asked youth wing president Suraj Chavan to resign. On Sunday, Chavan and other NCP workers reportedly assaulted Chhava Sanghatan activists, who had earlier protested by throwing a deck of cards in front of Maharashtra NCP president Sunil Tatkare during a Latur conference, accusing Kokate of playing Rummy during the session.

When questioned about action against Kokate, Tatkare said, "Ajit Pawar and senior party leaders will take a call on the issue (regarding the demand for Kokate's resignation)."

Following the protest, Chhava Sanghatan intensified its demand for the resignation of both Kokate and Chavan.

Both Fadnavis and Pawar expressed displeasure over the minister's alleged actions. Responding to this, Kokate said, "The CM must have shared his opinion based on what was shown in the media."

Past controversial statements by Kokate regarding farmers:

1. Claimed money received by farmers through agricultural schemes is used for engagement ceremonies and weddings rather than for their intended purpose.

2. Compared beggars to farmers, saying: "Nowadays even beggars don't accept one rupee. But the government offers crop insurance at one rupee - farmers should stop complaining about the government's efforts to bail them out."