Rohit Pawar, an MLA from the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction, posted a video on the social media platform X, showing Kokate, MLA from the Sinnar Assembly constituency, seemingly engaged in a mobile game on the floor of the House during the legislature session
Screengrab of Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate, allegedly playing a card game on his phone during Assembly session. PIC/X/@RRPSpeaks
As farmers across the state watch their crops wash away due to excessive or unseasonal rains, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA and Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate, from the Ajit Pawar-led faction, has allegedly been caught playing a mobile card game during a session of the state legislature. However, the minister has responded to the allegations, refuting the charges and claiming that it was a YouTube advertisement that appeared when he opened his phone to follow the House proceedings.
Rohit Pawar, an MLA from the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction, posted a video on social media platform X, showing Kokate, MLA from the Sinnar Assembly constituency seemingly engaged in a mobile game on the floor of the House during the legislature session.
Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew, Rohit, wrote in his tweet, “NCP (Ajit Pawar camp) cannot do anything without asking BJP. In the state, eight farmers are dying by suicide every day, and several issues remain unresolved. But since there is no work to do, it may be time to play rummy for the Agriculture Minister.” This is not the first time Kokate, an MLA from Nashik’s Sinnar constituency, has stirred controversy. He has previously made headlines for his controversial statements, particularly those related to farmers.
Reacting to the allegations, Kokate clarified while speaking to the media that he was present in the state legislative council (commonly referred to as the Upper House), and the proceedings were adjourned briefly. “Hence, I went on YouTube to see what was happening in the Lower House (the State Legislative Assembly). When anyone opens a video on YouTube, an advertisement appears. In my case, too, an ad appeared. I skipped the ad and continued. But those who made the video viral are showing only an 18-second clip,” he said in his clarification.
Leaders speak
Former Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar said, “This shows how serious the government is about farmers’ issues.” Former MLA Bachchu Kadu said this was not the first time the Agriculture Minister had made a mistake. “On several occasions, the Agriculture Minister has stirred controversy,” said Kadu, president of the Prahar Janshakti Party (PJP). Even members of Ajit Pawar’s NCP and the BJP expressed displeasure over Kokate’s behaviour. NCP spokesperson Suraj Chavan said, “Ajit Pawar will speak to the minister concerned.” Veteran BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar added, “It is the duty of public representatives to maintain the decorum of the legislature. Such incidents fuel public anger against politicians.” NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad posted on X: “Visra Haami, Khela Rummy” (Forget guarantees, play rummy).
Past controversies
In the past, Kokate allegedly claimed that money received by farmers through agricultural schemes is not used for the intended purpose but instead spent on engagement ceremonies and weddings. He had also compared beggars to farmers, stating, “Nowadays, even beggars don’t accept one rupee. But the government offers crop insurance for one rupee, so farmers should stop complaining about the government’s efforts to bail them out of crisis.”
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