Amid backlash over Minister Manikrao Kokate allegedly playing rummy during the Maharashtra Assembly session, Chhava Sanghatna activists met NCP chief Ajit Pawar demanding his removal. The meeting followed an assault on the outfit’s members by NCP workers in Latur. Pawar condemned the incident and promised action by Tuesday.
NCP chief Ajit Pawar. Image/File Pic
Amid the ongoing backlash against Maharashtra Minister Manikrao Kokate, who was seen playing ‘Rummy’ on his smartphone during the Maharashtra Assembly Monsoon Session, activists of the Chhava Sanghatna have met the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar. Earlier, Chhava Sanghatna members were also assaulted by NCP workers last week.
While meeting Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the Chhava Sanghatna members demanded the ouster of State Minister Manikrao Kokate, as reported by news agency PTI.
NCP workers had on 20 July assaulted Chhava Sanghatna activists in Latur, where the latter confronted party leader Sunil Tatkare over a video purportedly showing State Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate playing a game of rummy on his mobile phone during the recently concluded monsoon session of the state legislature.
In the same incident, Chhava Sanghatna leader Vijay Ghadge was severely beaten in the clash. However, other activists of the outfit met Pawar at the government guesthouse in Pune.
Ghadge, while addressing the media about the meeting, said, "We asked Ajit Dada about the attack that took place when we went to give a memorandum to the party's state president, Tatkare. We asked him what our mistake was. He condemned the incident and told us that he had initiated action the same day against the persons involved," as cited by news agency PTI.
He said Pawar spoke to the Latur Superintendent of Police and instructed him to take strict action against those who assaulted the activists.
Ghadge further stated that they have sought the removal of Kokate as the State Agriculture Minister.
He added, "We told him the state has got the most insensitive agriculture minister, and he should be removed from the cabinet. He sought time until Tuesday and assured us that he would make a decision," as per PTI.
He further warned that if no action is taken against Kokate by Tuesday, the Chhava Sanghatna and farmers would stage a protest against Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar as well.
Senior NCP Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who was in Pune, said both sides (Chhava Sanghatna and NCP workers) were at fault.
(With inputs from PTI)
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