Nagpur/Mumbai, July 21: A viral video of NCP leader and Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate purportedly playing a game of rummy on his mobile phone during a legislative session has sparked a huge row, with the opposition accusing the government of being insensitive to farmers.
Facing criticism, Kokate clarified on Sunday that he was only trying to skip the downloaded game on his mobile phone, which popped up for 5 to 10 seconds while checking YouTube to understand the business transacted in the lower house during the recently concluded monsoon session.
He was checking his phone when the Upper House of the state legislature was adjourned.
The video was posted on the X by NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar, targeting the NCP headed by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and the BJP.
“The ruling NCP faction is unable to function without consulting the BJP, which is why even as there are several issues related to agriculture pending and eight farmers committing suicide daily in the state, the agriculture minister, who has no work, appears to have time to play rummy,” Pawar stated.
NCP head and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, meanwhile, walked away when reporters sought his comment on the viral video.
The video clip triggered a protest by Chhava Sanghatna in Latur, which culminated in a clash.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) workers beat up activists of Chhava Sanghatna on Sunday after they confronted Maharashtra unit president Sunil Tatkare and threw playing cards in front of him during his press conference in Latur, while demanding the sacking of Kokate from the state cabinet.
Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Vijay Wadettiwar accused the BJP-led Mahayuti government of being “deceitful” and “treacherous” towards farmers.
NCP (SP) national spokesperson Clyde Crasto alleged that Maharashtra, under the BJP rule, is turning into an MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) arena.
“Farmers are dying, and the agriculture minister was playing a game on his mobile phone. This deceitful and treacherous government is not concerned with farmers. I appeal to farmers to teach them a lesson,” Wadettiwar told reporters.
Responding to the criticism, Kokate said, “When the upper house of the state legislature was adjourned, I took out my mobile phone to check the business transacted in the lower house and was trying to open YouTube.
“The downloaded game suddenly opened, and I was skipping it. It was a matter of just 5 to 10 seconds; why that part was not shown?” he asked while speaking to reporters.
Television channels show Chhava Sanghatna leader Vijay Ghatge confronting Tatkare and hurling a deck of playing cards on his table while demanding Kokate’s resignation. After a while, NCP activists rained blows and kicks on Ghatge and others before the police intervened and separated them.
NCP Youth wing president Suraj Chavan, who was involved in the attack, alleged that the incident was triggered by Ghatge and other office-bearers using abusive language against NCP leaders.
Chhava Sanghatna works for the conservation of forts and organises various religious and cultural festivals.
Reacting to the incident, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Rohini Khadse said such violence is unprecedented in a progressive state like Maharashtra.
“It’s now impossible to imagine what one will witness in Maharashtra. After Sunil Tatkare’s press conference concluded at a rest house in Latur, activists of the All India Chhava Organisation arrived and questioned Tatkare regarding the actions of the Agriculture Minister.
“Meanwhile, Ajitdada’s workers brutally beat up Chhava Sanghatna’s workers. Such incidents were never seen in Maharashtra in the past. Tomorrow, people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar might say that they don’t want a situation like Maharashtra in their states,” she said.
Crasto referred to incidents involving Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, who had assaulted a canteen staffer at an MLA Hostel in Mumbai, and the attack on an NCP (SP) worker by supporters of BJP legislator Gopichand Padalkar in the lobby of Vidhan Bhavan building.
“CM Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the Home Minister, needs to give some serious answers. Has he lost control over his department? Or do the goons connected to the BJP think that they can take the law into their hands because the BJP is in power? People of Maharashtra now need answers,” he stated.
Kokate, who represents the Sinnar constituency in Nashik district, is not a stranger to controversies.
A huge row erupted in April when Kokate stated that farmers do not spend money received from agriculture schemes on intended purposes, but instead use it for engagement ceremonies and weddings.
As his remarks drew condemnation, he expressed remorse and tendered an apology.
Earlier this year, Kokate had allegedly compared farmers to beggars, inviting severe criticism.
“Even a beggar does not take Re 1 in alms, but here we are giving crop insurance for Re 1. Even then, some people try to misuse it,” he had said.
Kokate is also facing legal trouble.
A magistrate court in Nashik district had convicted Kokate and his brother, Sunil Kokate, and sentenced them to two years of imprisonment for submitting fake documents to secure flats under a government quota. The duo filed an appeal against the conviction before a sessions court.
In a huge relief to the Kokate brothers, the district court on March 5 stayed the conviction until an order on their appeal.(PTI)
