He previously stirred backlash by accusing farmers of misusing subsidies, referring to them as beggars, and describing his agriculture ministry as “lord of barren acres"
Minister of Agriculture, Maharashtra, Manikrao Kokate File pic.
Amid ongoing speculation over his future in the Maharashtra cabinet, Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate met Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar on Tuesday.
Sources indicated that Pawar reprimanded Kokate for his repeated controversial statements but did not offer any assurances about his continuation in the cabinet, reported PTI.
During the meeting, Kokate reportedly expressed remorse for his recent remarks about farmers, which had caused embarrassment for both the Mahayuti government and the Nationalist Congress Party. Pawar is said to have conveyed his displeasure clearly.
Sources revealed that Kokate, accompanied by his daughter, reached Mantralaya early in the day and went straight to Pawar’s antechamber, just before the scheduled cabinet meeting, reported PTI.
The interaction between Kokate and Pawar lasted about 15 minutes and was described by sources as tense. Pawar is believed to have sharply criticized Kokate for his repeated blunders.
According to the sources, Kokate offered an apology for his actions and promised to avoid any similar missteps in the future.
However, Pawar refrained from offering any words of support or assurance during the conversation, sources added, reported PTI.
Kokate declined to speak with the media following the meeting and proceeded directly to the cabinet gathering, further stoking rumours that a decision regarding his position could be imminent.
Earlier in the day, a group of farmers from Nashik met with Deputy CM Pawar, urging him to retain Kokate in the state cabinet.
Pawar retorted by asking, "How many times should one be forgiven?"
He also said that when he had voluntarily stepped down from ministerial duties in the past, no one had come forward in his defence, reported PTI.
Kokate, an NCP MLA representing the Sinnar constituency in Nashik district, has frequently attracted controversy.
He previously stirred backlash by accusing farmers of misusing subsidies, referring to them as beggars, and describing his agriculture ministry as “lord of barren acres,” as reported by PTI.
The most recent controversy involved a video that allegedly showed Kokate playing a card game on his phone during the monsoon session in the state legislature.
Before that issue could settle, Kokate sparked another storm by calling the government a “beggar” while attempting to explain his earlier comments about the farming community, reported by PTI.
(Inputs from PTI)
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