Kokate is in the eye of the storm over a purported video of him playing a game of rummy on his mobile phone during a legislative session. He, however, clarified on Sunday that he was only trying to skip the downloaded game on his mobile phone
Ajit Pawar. File Pic
Senior NCP leader Sunil Tatkare on Monday said party president and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will take a serious note of the video of Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate playing a game on his mobile phone during a legislative session and talk to him about it, reported news agency PTI.
Kokate is in the eye of the storm over a purported video of him playing a game of rummy on his mobile phone during a legislative session. He, however, clarified on Sunday that he was only trying to skip the downloaded game on his mobile phone.
He was checking his phone when the Upper House of the state legislature was adjourned.
Talking to reporters in Tuljapur, Tatkare, the NCP's state unit president, said, "The statements made by the agriculture minister in the past were not correct. Party president Ajit Pawar had earlier spoken to him about that. In this video issue also, Pawar will take a serious note and instructions will be given to Kokate accordingly."
The minister's video clip, posted on the X by NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar, triggered a protest by Chhava Sanghatna in Latur, which culminated in a clash.
NCP workers beat up activists of Chhava Sanghatna on Sunday after they confronted Tatkare and threw playing cards in front of him during his press conference in Latur, while demanding the sacking of Kokate from the state cabinet.
Television channels showed Chhava Sanghatna leader Vijay Ghatge confronting Tatkare and hurling a deck of playing cards on his table while demanding Kokate's resignation. Later, NCP activists rained blows and kicks on Ghatge and others before the police intervened.
NCP Youth wing president Suraj Chavan was involved in the attack.
"The NCP has always been on the path of peace. The incident in Latur is condemnable. I understand the feelings of Chhava Sanghatna workers. Though they threw playing cards at me, I kept quiet and thanked them," he said.
During his visit to Tuljapur, Tatkare met activists of the Chhava Sanghatna at the organisation's office, where they demanded action against Chavan.
Meanwhile, taking serious note of the beating up of Chhava Sanghatna activists by NCP workers, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday asked his party's youth wing chief Suraj Chavan to resign from his post.
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said he has asked Chavan to immediately resign from his post.
The incident in Latur between office-bearers of the NCP and the Chhava organisation is extremely serious, unfortunate and condemnable, Pawar said in the statement.
The NCP head asserted he is against any form of violence, indecent behavior or use of unparliamentary language.
"We sincerely respect the rightful demands and sentiments of every section of society. The identity of the Nationalist Congress Party is based on the democratic, egalitarian and fraternal ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar," he said.
Pawar said he has asked his party workers to always uphold the values of democracy, peace and non-violence in the public life.
(With inputs from PTI)
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