The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Maharashtra finds itself embroiled in back-to-back controversies after a video showing Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate allegedly playing rummy on his mobile phone during a legislative council session went viral. The incident has sparked widespread criticism, pushing the party leadership into damage control mode as demands for Kokate's resignation grow louder.
NCP State President Sunil Tatkare strongly condemned the minister’s behavior while addressing the media in Dharashiv district. "When farmers are facing severe crises, it is unbecoming of a minister holding a sensitive portfolio like agriculture to engage in such frivolous activity. What happened is wrong, and the party will take an appropriate decision," Tatkare stated.
Tatkare’s remarks have intensified speculation that Kokate may soon be asked to step down. He also recalled previous controversial remarks made by Kokate regarding crop insurance and loan waivers, saying Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had reprimanded him at the time as well. The latest video, Tatkare said, has once again brought Kokate’s conduct under serious scrutiny.
Adding fuel to the fire, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Jitendra Awhad posted videos on social media, claiming Kokate was not skipping advertisements, as the minister had clarified, but was indeed playing "Junglee Rummy" during assembly proceedings. "He was moving the cards himself. If more proof is needed, I’ll provide it," Awhad challenged.
Sharad Pawar group MLA Rohit Pawar also criticized Kokate and demanded his resignation. "The resignation of Suraj Chavan (from the youth wing) is welcome, but it should have started with Kokate, who insulted the pain of farmers by playing a card game during assembly. Maharashtra is waiting for his resignation," he tweeted.
Assault Incident in Latur Further Embarrasses Party
In a separate but related incident, NCP Youth Wing President Suraj Chavan was caught on video assaulting members of the Chhava Sanghatna in Latur after they confronted the party over the Kokate video. The activists had disrupted a press conference, throwing playing cards in protest, following which NCP workers retaliated with violence, including punching and chair-throwing.
The incident drew sharp condemnation across political and public spheres. Taking swift action, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar summoned Suraj Chavan and asked for his resignation. In a statement, Pawar said, “This behavior goes against the core values of the party and cannot be tolerated.”
He added that the NCP is rooted in the democratic and inclusive ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. "We respect the voices and sentiments of every section of society, and it is our responsibility to uphold these values with humility and restraint," he emphasised.
Devendra Fadnavis Reacts
Even Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister from the BJP, Devendra Fadnavis, weighed in on the matter. “Though Kokate has tried to clarify, it does not reflect well on the government’s image. Even if a minister is not directly involved in the ongoing assembly discussion, he should be attentive. Playing rummy is simply not acceptable,” Fadnavis said.
