Asked about action on the controversial behaviour and statement from the agriculture minister, Pawar maintained that the speaker and chairman are the custodians of the state legislature premises. “I believe that Rahul Narwekar, speaker of the Legislative Assembly, and Council Chairman Ram Shinde have ordered an inquiry," Dy CM Ajit Pawar stated
Manikrao Kokate, Nationalist Congress Party legislator and agriculture minister. PIC/X/@kokate_manikrao; (right) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. FILE PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI
Next week, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will take a call on whether to let Agriculture Minister Manikarao Kokate retain his portfolio, assign him a new department or drop him from the cabinet altogether. On Thursday, Pawar, head of the NCP, mentioned that Kokate would be meeting him in the coming week, probably on Monday or Tuesday.
Asked about action on the controversial behaviour and statement from the agriculture minister, Pawar maintained that the speaker and chairman are the custodians of the state legislature premises. “I believe that Rahul Narwekar, speaker of the Legislative Assembly, and Council Chairman Ram Shinde have ordered an inquiry. Once the probe is done, they [Narwekar and Shinde] will take a decision accordingly,” Pawar told mediapersons.
On Sunday, MLA Rohit Pawar of the NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar, had shared a video showing Kokate, who represents the Sinnar Assembly constituency, allegedly engrossed in a mobile card game while the state legislature was in session, charges which the minister has denied, claiming that something had popped up when he opened his phone to follow House proceedings.
Ajit Pawar, NCP chief
Since the incident came to light, protests have been held by farmers, political parties and several organisations seeking the resignation of the agriculture minister. Asked what action his party had taken against Kokate, Pawar claimed that on two earlier occasions, the minister had received warnings. “I had told him that a third mistake would not be tolerated,” the deputy chief minister said.
Pawar further explained that the minister has a different version of what had happened recently on the floor of the House. “I will meet Kokate in person. After hearing the minister, I will take decision on the same. Fadnavis and I will discuss the matter and, accordingly, decide what to do,” Pawar added.
Two study centres on Marathi culture inaugurated at JNU
The chief minister inaugurated the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Special Centre for Security and Strategic Studies and the Kusumagraj Special Centre for Marathi Language, Literature, and Culture at Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi on Thursday. During the event, a few students carried out a protest near the venue against the attack on non-Marathi speaking people in Maharashtra. Fadnavis said, “We are proud of all Indian languages, especially our mother tongue, Marathi. Along with Marathi, one should learn Hindi too.” In a veiled attack on political parties from his state who are against teaching Hindi in schools across Maharashtra, the CM reiterated, “I cannot understand why people are opposing the Indian language [Hindi] and encouraging English [a foreign language].”
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
