On Sunday, youth wing president Suraj Chavan, along with other NCP workers, beat up Chhava Sanghatna activists, who had confronted Maharashtra NCP state unit president Sunil Tatkare by hurling a deck of playing cards in front of his table during a conference in Latur
Suraj Chavan, who has been asked to resign as NCP youth wing president. Pic/X/@surajvchavan (right) Manikrao Kokate, NCP (Ajit Pawar) MLA and agriculture minister. PIC/X/@kokate_manikrao
There are growing calls for NCP chief and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to take an immediate decision on the fate of party MLA and Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate and youth wing president Suraj Chavan. The party has already asked the latter to resign from the post.
On Sunday, Chavan, along with other NCP workers, beat up Chhava Sanghatna activists, who had confronted Maharashtra NCP state unit president Sunil Tatkare by hurling a deck of playing cards in front of his table during a conference in Latur. The activists were protesting against Kokate allegedly playing a rummy game on his phone while the state legislature was in session.
Before the situation could get out of hand, a day later, Pawar, taking to the micro-blogging site X, asked Chavan to immediately resign from his post. “His [Chavan’s] behaviour goes against the party’s values. No such behaviour will be tolerated,” Pawar posted.
Ajit Pawar, NCP chief
Speaking to reporters, Tatkare said, “Ajit Pawar, along with senior party leaders, will take a call on the issue [Kokate’s resignation].” On Monday, Chhava Sanghatna stepped up its protest against the NCP, demanding the resignation of Kokate and Chavan. Aggrieved workers even carried out a rasta roko, burned tyres and gathered outside the venue where Tatkare was to address NCP workers in Dharashiv.
How events unfolded
The day before, Rohit Pawar, an MLA from the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction, had posted a video on X, showing Kokate, who represents the Sinnar Assembly constituency, engrossed in a game on the floor of the House. Kokate, however, denied the charges, claiming that a YouTube advertisement had popped up when he opened his phone to follow legislative proceedings.
On the same day, Chhava Sanghatna activist Vijay Ghatge confronted Tatkare and hurled a deck of playing cards at him. Later, Chavan, along with other NCP workers, rained blows and kicks on Ghatge. The next day, violence ensued, with Chhava Sanghatna activists launching protests across rural Maharashtra. Hours after the incident, Chavan apologised for the violence, claiming his outburst was prompted by abusive language used by the activists against NCP leaders and not against the protest.
Political reactions
NCP-SP leader Rohini Khadse welcomed Pawar’s decision to seek Chavan’s resignation. “But, what about Kokate? Will the party take action against the erring minister too?” she asked. Social activist Anjali Damania, speaking to reporters, demanded the immediate arrest of Chavan. “The police have filed a case against Chavan and others. But, he [Chavan] needs to be arrested for the offence,” she said.
July 20
Day activists were assaulted
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