Maharashtra's political landscape witnessed a significant shift as Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate was reassigned to the Sports and Youth Welfare Ministry, along with the additional charge of Minority Development and Waqf. This move, initiated by NCP leader Ajit Pawar, came in the wake of a controversy surrounding Kokate allegedly playing rummy on his mobile phone during a legislative council session. Dattatray Bharne, who previously held the sports portfolio, has now been appointed as the new Agriculture Minister.
The controversy erupted after a video, purportedly showing Kokate engrossed in an online card game, circulated on social media. MLA Rohit Pawar shared the video, claiming the minister was playing online games during a House session. This sparked outrage and fueled demands for action against Kokate. The opposition seized the opportunity to criticize the government, adding pressure for a swift response.
Kokate initially denied the allegations, stating that he was trying to close a pop-up advertisement on his phone. He explained he was in the Upper House and wanted to know what was happening in the Lower House, so he opened his mobile, but an advertisement for an online gaming app popped up. He tried to skip it a couple of times, but could not, and only succeeded on the third attempt. He further claimed that the video only showed a part of what happened and that it was a conspiracy to defame the government. He also said it was a solitaire game, not rummy.
However, Rohit Pawar refuted Kokate's explanation, alleging that the minister played rummy for a much longer duration than he claimed. He stated that the Agriculture Minister was not playing Rummy for just 42 seconds but for 18 to 22 minutes. He also said that a probe report of the state legislature confirmed this.
The incident drew strong reactions, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reportedly expressing his displeasure and emphasizing the need to avoid conduct that could embarrass the government. Sources indicated that Fadnavis was keen to control the damage to his government's image and suggested Ajit Pawar take action against Kokate. The Chief Minister cautioned ministers against "indulging in conduct that embarrasses the government" and added that repeated controversies were providing unnecessary ammunition to the Opposition and distracting from the administration's achievements.
The decision to reassign Kokate's portfolio is widely perceived as a demotion. NCP functionaries indicated that Kokate managed to retain his cabinet position by apologizing for the incident and assuring that such behavior would not recur. Ajit Pawar had given Kokate a warning and censure after a meeting.
Kokate has a history of courting controversy. Months prior to this incident, he made a controversial statement about crop insurance for farmers. He also faced legal trouble in February when a Nashik court sentenced him and his brother to two years in prison for submitting fake documents to obtain flats under a government quota.
The reshuffle reflects the government's attempt to address the public outcry and maintain its image. By shifting Kokate to the Sports Ministry and related departments, the government aims to mitigate the political fallout from the rummy controversy. Dattatray Bharne's appointment as the new Agriculture Minister signals a fresh start for the department.
