Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate has been removed from his post after a video went viral showing him playing rummy on his mobile phone during a state assembly session. Instead of being removed from the cabinet, he has been reassigned to handle the Sports and Youth Welfare Ministry.
The decision came from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis late Thursday night. Fadnavis said this move is a warning to other ministers that mistakes will not be taken lightly. However, many critics feel the punishment is not strong enough and only symbolic.
The agriculture portfolio has now been given to NCP minister Dattatray Bharane, who earlier managed the Sports Ministry. The incident gained attention after NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar posted the video, claiming Kokate was playing rummy for over 18 minutes during an important assembly session. The timing of the act has drawn public anger, as farmers in many parts of Maharashtra are facing drought-like conditions.
Opposition leaders demanded Kokate’s resignation, calling his actions disrespectful and irresponsible. But the government only changed his department, which led to further criticism. Ambadas Danve from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena mocked the government, saying rummy should be declared the state sport and ministers should be allowed to carry cards to the Assembly.
Kokate has faced criticism before. In the past, he made insensitive remarks about farmers. Now, his latest behaviour has again raised questions about how seriously ministers are taking their duties during a time of crisis for farmers.
Social activist Anjali Damania claimed that Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar didn’t push for Kokate’s resignation because he wanted a Shiv Sena minister to resign first, in order to keep political balance. This has sparked talk of political deal-making behind the scenes.
Many believe that simply changing Kokate’s role is not enough and that ministers should be held more accountable for their behaviour, especially during serious times.
