Maharashtra Agriculture Minister loses portfolio for playing rummy during Assembly session
Kokate, who is from the Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar faction, was caught playing online rummy on his phone during the monsoon session of the Assembly. A video shared by NCP-SP’s Rohit Pawar showed Kokate playing the game while proceedings were underway in the Legislative Council.
Kokate has now been given charge of the Sports Ministry, while Sports Minister Dattatray Bharne has been appointed the new Agriculture Minister.
In his defence, Kokate said he was trying to turn off the notification on his phone and was not playing a game on his phone. But the Opposition claimed that it doesn’t take that long to turn off a notification.
The development came days after the video surfaced. Initially, Kokate was given a warning, but Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was keen on improving the image of his government. Ajit Pawar met Kokate on Tuesday and warned him against his actions, including giving controversial statements showing the government in a poor light. But Kokate wasn’t removed after this meeting.
Sources said Ajit Pawar took a portfolio as important as Agriculture from Kokate after CM Fadnavis also suggested Pawar to take strict action in the matter.
Kokate’s eight-month tenure as the Agriculture minister was mired in controversy, including his recent statement comparing farmers with beggars. He, on more than one occasion, said how Ladki Bahin expenses were affecting schemes and poll promises of other departments including Agriculture.
