A clash erupted between workers of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Chhava Sanghatana in Latur, Maharashtra, on Sunday, July 20, 2025, following protests against state Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate. The Chhava Sanghatana activists were demonstrating against Kokate after a video went viral purportedly showing him playing a game of rummy on his mobile phone during the monsoon session of the state legislature.

The incident occurred during a press conference held by NCP state president Sunil Tatkare in Latur. As Tatkare concluded the event, members of the Chhava Sanghatana, led by their state president Vijay Ghatge, arrived to submit a memorandum demanding Kokate's resignation. In a symbolic act of protest, the Chhava members threw playing cards in front of Tatkare, expressing their disapproval of the minister's actions.

The situation escalated when NCP workers, including Suraj Chavan, the NCP youth wing president and a close aide of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, allegedly assaulted the Chhava activists. Television channels captured footage of Ghatge confronting Tatkare and throwing a deck of playing cards on his table while demanding Kokate's resignation. Following this, NCP activists reportedly attacked Ghatge and others with blows and kicks before police intervened.

Suraj Chavan defended the actions of the NCP workers, claiming that the Chhava Sanghatana members used abusive language against NCP leaders, provoking the response. He stated that the protesters could have demonstrated in a constitutional manner instead of throwing playing cards at Tatkare. Vijaykumar Ghadge alleged that "NCP goons" attacked Chhava Sanghatana activists for demanding Kokate's resignation and that one NCP worker allegedly struck a Chhava Sanghatana member on the head with a chair.

The video of Kokate allegedly playing rummy was initially shared by NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar. Kokate has since clarified that he was merely skipping a downloaded game that flashed on his screen while checking YouTube to understand the business transacted in the lower house during the recently concluded monsoon session. He stated he was checking his phone when the Upper House of the state legislature was adjourned.

The incident has drawn criticism from various political figures. NCP (SP) national spokesperson Clyde Crasto alleged that Maharashtra, under BJP rule, is turning into an MMA arena. NCP (SP) politician Vidya Chavan called the attack on Chhava Sanghatana activists horrible and said that everyone has the right to ask questions in a democracy. Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Vijay Wadettiwar accused the BJP-led Mahayuti government of being "deceitful" and "treacherous" towards farmers. Rohini Khadse, an NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader, said such violence is unprecedented in a progressive state like Maharashtra.