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Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Farmers dying but agri minister playing rummy in Assembly, CM must act: Sapkal
1 2 3 Nagpur: Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Monday criticised the state govt, accusing its ministers and officials of arrogance, insensitivity, and moral decay. He also called for a high-level investigation into the alleged honeytrap scandal involving senior state leaders. "While six farmers commit suicide every day, the agriculture minister plays rummy in the assembly," Sapkal said, calling it as a "disgrace to Maharashtra". Responding to recent comments by CM Devendra Fadnavis in the legislature about some MLAs behaving arrogantly, Sapkal said, "It's not just the MLAs — even ministers and officials have become arrogant. The CM must show courage to curb their excesses." He called for immediate action against the agriculture minister, demanding that be be sent home. Sapkal also condemned the violence in Latur, where members of the Chhava Sanghatna who submitted a memorandum against the agriculture minister were reportedly attacked by supporters of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. "Has power gone to their heads? Hollow condemnations won't help. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Compare Spreads: Bitcoin vs Ethereum CFDs IC Markets Learn More Undo Jail the goons," Sapkal said. On the honeytrap controversy, Sapkal accused the CM of misleading the Assembly. "The honeytrap noose is around the neck of ruling party leaders. He (CM) gave false information in the legislature. A high-level probe must be conducted," he said, alleging the scandal had connections to individuals close to senior BJP leaders. Nagpur: Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Monday criticised the state govt, accusing its ministers and officials of arrogance, insensitivity, and moral decay. He also called for a high-level investigation into the alleged honeytrap scandal involving senior state leaders. "While six farmers commit suicide every day, the agriculture minister plays rummy in the assembly," Sapkal said, calling it as a "disgrace to Maharashtra". Responding to recent comments by CM Devendra Fadnavis in the legislature about some MLAs behaving arrogantly, Sapkal said, "It's not just the MLAs — even ministers and officials have become arrogant. The CM must show courage to curb their excesses." He called for immediate action against the agriculture minister, demanding that be be sent home. Sapkal also condemned the violence in Latur, where members of the Chhava Sanghatna who submitted a memorandum against the agriculture minister were reportedly attacked by supporters of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. "Has power gone to their heads? Hollow condemnations won't help. Jail the goons," Sapkal said. On the honeytrap controversy, Sapkal accused the CM of misleading the Assembly. "The honeytrap noose is around the neck of ruling party leaders. He (CM) gave false information in the legislature. A high-level probe must be conducted," he said, alleging the scandal had connections to individuals close to senior BJP leaders.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
After Chavan leaves NCP red-faced, party says it has taken note of Kokate's behaviour
After NCP youth wing chief Suraj Chavan and 11 of the unit's members were booked for beating up Chhava Sanghatna activists in Latur, Deputy Chief Minister and party's national president Ajit Pawar asked him to quit his post. Chavan was summoned to Mumbai and pulled up by the NCP chief 'for exceeding his brief and indulging in activity which harmed the party's image'. Though he has not shown the same kind of alacrity in the case of Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate, NCP state president Sunil Tatkare made it clear that the party leadership has taken serious note of his behaviour. 'Our party leadership has taken serious note of the minister's behaviour,' Tatkare told The Indian Express on Monday evening. When asked whether Ajit Pawar will ask Kokate to resign, Tatkare said he wouldn't like to make any comment. 'I have already said our party leadership has taken serious note of Kokate's behaviour in the House,' he said. Both Kokate and Chavan's behaviour has caused embarrassment to the NCP. So much so that when Ajit Pawar was in Pune on Sunday, he spoke at length about different issues including the Hinjewadi problems. But when reporters sought a reply from him on Kokate case, Ajit Pawar quickly made a gateway. However, in Chavan's case, Ajit Pawar, wasted no time in clarifying that the party does not believe in any kind of violence and rude behaviour. He condemned the behaviour of NCP workers in strong words. NCP sources said in Chavan's case, the party acted quickly because there was no need for him to beat up the Chhava Sanghatna activists. 'The incident has tarnished the image of NCP. Chhava Sanghatna activists did not indulge in any kind of violence. They might have used objectionable language but why did Chavan and his supporters gets physical? The party's image has taken a beating,' an NCP leader said. In Kokate's case, NCP leaders said, Ajit Pawar has shown lot of patience. 'Kokate has caused the party embarrassment on several occasions. He has been convicted in a criminal case. He was sentenced to two years in jail in a document forgery and fraud case. Then he compared farmers to beggars. He had said that even a beggar doesn't take one rupee, but the government offers farmers crop insurance for Re one. Subsequently, he alleged that farmers take advantage of loan waivers by spending money on personal celebrations… I think the party's cup of woes relating to Kokate and his behaviour is overflowing now. The party will ask him to resign in next two days after consulting BJP,' said another NCP leader. Speaking in Nashik, senior NCP leader and Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said, 'I am not aware of what orders Ajit Pawar has given regarding Kokate. As far as playing cards in the House is concerned, I don't think that was an appropriate act.' Shiv Sena Minister Pratap Sarnaik however backed Kokate. 'I think everyone plays Rummy these days. Even Aamir Khan and Shahrukh play Rummy. It is shown on television,' he said.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
NCP youth wing chief Suraj Chavan apologises after party workers assault Chhava Sanghatna activists; Ajit Pawar summons him
Suraj Chavan, the youth wing chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), apologised Monday after his supporters thrashed activists of the Chhava Sanghatna in Latur on Sunday. In the wake of the incident, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who is the national president of NCP, has summoned Chavan to Mumbai. Chavan said, 'Some television channels are running the news that my supporters beat up Chhava Sanghatna activists because they raised issues concerning farmers. I am the son of a farmer. If anyone is raising the farmers' plight, it is my duty to back them.' 'However, yesterday Chhava Sanghatna activists used unparliamentary language against our party leadership… I would like to apologise for yesterday's incident. I will meet the activists of Chhava Sanghatna to remove any misunderstanding between us,' he stated. On Sunday, during NCP state chief Sunil Tatkare's press conference in Latur, Chhava Sanghatna activists sought the removal of Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate from the Cabinet. In a video, Kokate was earlier seen playing the card game Rummy inside the Maharashtra Legislative Council. However, while protesting, the activists allegedly hurled a pack of cards at Tatkare and used objectionable words. 'They just didn't throw cards, they also used bad language against our leadership. If anyone is going to behave in this manner, we will give a befitting reply,' Chavan had said after the incident. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Tatkare said, 'I spoke for one hour at a press conference yesterday during which Chhava Sanghatna activists came to meet me and hand over a memorandum. They threw cards at me. Yet, I quietly received their memorandum and thanked them.' Tatkare said he did not know what happened outside the press conference venue. 'But when I was apprised about it (the assault), I strongly condemned it. Whatever happened is wrong… 'The NCP will never support such an action by our members,' he said. Tatkare added that Ajit Pawar has summoned the NCP youth wing chief. 'Chavan has left for Mumbai… I have never supported such things in my political career. At the press conference, I answered all questions relating to farmers. In a democracy, you have to listen to the people's voices,' he said. Reacting to the assault, Pawar said on Monday, 'The incident that took place yesterday in Latur between office-bearers of the NCP and the Chhava Sanghatna is very serious, unfortunate, and condemnable. I strongly oppose any kind of violence, rude behaviour or unparliamentary language. We sincerely respect the just demands and feelings of every section of the society.' 'I would like to clearly state to all my colleagues and activists: always prioritise the values of democracy, peace, and non-violence while working in social life,' the party chief added.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Ajit Pawar condemns violence after NCP workers thrash Chhava Sanghatna activists over Manikrao Kokate video
A day after workers of the ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) beat up activists of Chhava Sanghatna, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP president Ajit Pawar on Monday condemned the incident. The Chhava Sanghatna, which primarily represents Maratha youth, often raises issues related to farmers and agriculture. 'The incident that took place yesterday in Latur between office-bearers of the NCP and the Chhava Sanghatna is very serious, unfortunate, and condemnable. I strongly oppose any kind of violence, rude behaviour or unparliamentary language. We sincerely respect the just demands and feelings of every section of the society,' Ajit Pawar said. He added that the NCP's identity is based on the ideas of democracy, equality and fraternity of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. 'I would like to clearly state to all my colleagues and activists: always prioritise the values of democracy, peace, and non-violence while working in social life,' he said. On Sunday, NCP state youth president Suraj Chavan and other local office-bearers of the party assaulted Vijaykumar Ghadge and others of the Chhava Sanghatna at the government guest house in Latur. Ghadge and others had earlier submitted a letter of protest to NCP state president Sunil Tatkare against party leader and Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate after a video allegedly showed Kokate playing the card game Rummy inside the Legislative Council. The workers also gifted a pack of cards to Tatkare as a mark of protest. Later, alleging that Ghadge and others used unparliamentary language against NCP leaders, Chavan and other workers thrashed them in front of cameras and the police. On Monday morning, Chavan released a video statement apologising for his behaviour. 'We did not beat him for raising farmers' issues but for using unparliamentary language against our leaders. I apologise for the actions and I will personally meet Vijay Ghadge and clear the misunderstanding,' he said. Meanwhile, Chavan has been asked not to attend Tatkare's programmes in neighbouring Dharashiv district on Monday, anticipating a strong reaction from Chhava Sanghatna and other organisations.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Videos of Maharashtra minister 'playing rummy' in House sparks row
Screengrab from the purported video NASHIK/CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Two videos purportedly showing Maharashtra agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate playing an online card game during an assembly session culminated Sunday in a full-blown political clash, including violence involving NCP and a Maratha outfit, as the stakes kept rising in what had started as a social media controversy. The confrontation peaked at NCP state president Sunil Tatkare's presser in Latur, where members of Chhava Sanghatna threw playing cards at him while demanding Kokate's resignation. The symbolic protest quickly descended into violence when local NCP workers allegedly assaulted the protesters after Tatkare left the venue, with one activist being injured after being struck on the head with a chair. The row began when opposition MLA Rohit Pawar of NCP (SP) posted the videos on X, claiming they showed Kokate too busy gaming to be bothered about House proceedings. The allegation gained enough traction within hours to trigger protests. In Nashik, Kokate dismissed the allegations as deliberate misrepresentation. The minister said he was attempting to monitor Lower House proceedings from the Upper House of Maharashtra's bicameral legislature when an online gaming advertisement appeared on his phone. "I tried to skip it a couple of times, but couldn't. Finally, on my third attempt, it worked," Kokate explained, accusing Pawar of selectively editing the footage to suit his narrative. "The MLA chose to show only the part that suited him instead of showing the complete video," Kokate said, dismissing the controversy as an attempt by the opposition to defame a BJP-led govt "doing good work". At NCP's Latur presser, Chhava Sanghatna, led by Vijaykumar Ghadge, initially submitted a memorandum to Tatkare seeking Kokate's resignation before the card-throwing protest. After the NCP state chief left the venue, local party politicians allegedly confronted the Maratha activists in a nearby room, where the situation turned violent despite police's attempts to maintain order. No arrests had been made till late Sunday, although the alleged retaliation drew sharp criticism from across the political spectrum. Ghadge-Patil condemned what he claimed was an attack by "NCP goons". He said Chhava Sanghatna, which he described as an organisation of "farmers' sons", would retaliate. NCP spokesperson Suraj Chavan defended the party workers' actions as a "natural reaction" to alleged attempts to humiliate party functionaries. He acknowledged Chhava Sanghatna's right to democratic protest, but suggested the card-throwing protest was out of line. Vidya Chavan of NCP (SP) termed the assault on the protesters "horrible", saying that questioning politicians' actions was a democratic right. She urged minister Kokate to "speak the truth and accept his mistake". Throughout the controversy, Kokate maintained that his detractors like Rohit Pawar had been focusing on trivial matters - "my clothes, my cars and such things" - rather than the govt's agricultural policies. He said the legislator would have highlighted the govt's work if he had farmers' interests in mind. The minister declared that the opposition's focus on such issues reflected its inability to find genuine governance concerns.
