The controversy erupted after NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar shared a video clip on X, showing Kokate allegedly playing an online rummy game on his phone during the Monsoon Session
NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule. File Pic
The Maharashtra government has shifted Manikrao Kokate from the Agriculture Ministry to the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs following a controversy over a viral video that showed him playing a mobile game during an assembly session.
The clip, shared on X by NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar, appeared to show Kokate engaged in an online rummy game while the session was in progress, sparking a political uproar, reported news agency ANI.
Reacting sharply to Kokate’s reassignment, NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule took a dig at the government, calling the move a “reward” for playing rummy.
In a post on X, Sule said, "The honourable Minister, who tarnishes the state's reputation by calling the Maharashtra government a 'beggar,' should be shown the door by none other than the honourable Chief Minister himself. The decision to reward him for playing rummy in the legislature by appointing him as the Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare and Minority Development, and Waqf is truly incomprehensible."
Sule termed the appointment of Kokate as Minister of Sports a "cruel joke", according to new agency ANI.
"This has laid bare the government's priorities. On one hand, the younger generation in the state is being ruined by chasing online rummy, and while there is a demand to ban it, giving an important portfolio like Sports and Youth Welfare to Manikrao Kokate as a reward for playing rummy in the legislature is nothing short of a cruel joke," NCP-SP leader Sule said.
राज्यातील कृषी क्षेत्र पुर्णपणे कोलमडून पडलेले असताना विधिमंडळात बसून रमी खेळणारे कृषीमंत्री माणिकराव कोकाटे शेतकऱ्यांच्या प्रश्नांवर किती संवेदनशील असतील? याहून कहर म्हणजे या कृषीमंत्र्यांचे केवळ खाते बदलून अभय देणारे सत्ताधारी किती गंभीर असतील ? याची शंका आल्याशिवाय राहत नाही.…
— Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) August 1, 2025
She further demanded the resignation of the newly appointed Sports Minister.
"My humble request to the honourable Chief Minister is to please accept Manikrao Kokate's resignation and work to preserve the state's reputation."
Earlier on July 25, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar said that he has ordered a detailed inquiry into the viral video of Manikrao Kokate
Speaking with ANI, Narverkar said that he will comment on the incident after receiving the report. However, he condemned the act of recording the video, terming it "an insult" to the assembly, as it is not permitted.
"I have ordered a detailed inquiry into the matter. I will comment on the issue once I receive the report. It is not allowed to shoot such videos in the Assembly. This is also an insult to the Assembly. An inquiry will have to be done in this matter," reported news agency ANI.
(With ANI inputs)
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