Latest news with #Kokate
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Kokate gets off with rebuke from Ajit; CM warns all mins
Mumbai: NCP minister Manikrao Kokate, who has repeatedly courted controversy with his remarks and recently drew criticism for allegedly playing a game of 'rummy' on his mobile phone in the state legislature, was let off by his party chief and deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Tuesday with a warning and censure. At the same time, CM Devendra Fadnavis spoke to all the ministers at and after Tuesday's meeting of the state cabinet and warned them against controversial actions and words, sources said. Kokate had a 25-minute conversation with Ajit Pawar in the latter's chamber in Mantralaya before Tuesday's cabinet meeting, where he apologised for the 'rummy' incident and assured the party chief that such things would not happen again. Ajit Pawar is also said to have given him a dressing down over his repeated controversial statements and warned him that any such statements would not be tolerated. However, Kokate was not asked to resign, nor has his agriculture portfolio been swapped, though the Dy CM had said he would meet Kokate and take a decision about his resignation. The CM emphasised at the cabinet meet that controversial episodes were impacting the image of the govt. He also told the ministers to avoid speaking to the media and, if a controversy erupted, to give an appropriate response immediately. "The CM also said that if this continues, he will have to step in. He asked everyone to take collective responsibility and be humble. He also said fund transfers for schemes like Ladki Bahin and for priority projects are common and must not be turned into an issue by ministers. He asked ministers to work as a team and not just focus on their own departments," a cabinet minister said. Sources said that in the cabinet meet, Ajit Pawar was of the view that action could be taken against NCP ministers only if action was taken against some Shiv Sena ministers who had attracted controversy. Several ministers also backed Kokate and said he must be given a chance. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, who first released Kokate's video showing him allegedly playing rummy, said BJP and Dy CM Eknath Shinde would damage Ajit Pawar.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Ajit Pawar in fix over NCP MLA Kokate's resignation for playing rummy in assembly
MUMBAI: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, led NCP, is divided over sacking agriculture minister and NCP MLA Manikrao Kokate over his playing online rummy during the state legislative assembly's monsoon session that recently concluded. The people close to DCM Ajit Pawar said that Mr Pawar this time decided to give reprieve to Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate as a last chance to improve his conduct as minister and avoid stoking the controversy further. 'Ajit Pawar has taken the feedback from Mr Kokate's department, and the majority of the staffers gave positive feedback about the minister and his warm and friendly style. Mr Kokate's led agriculture department was in the top five departments in the chief minister's 100 days program because of its several initiatives and schemes for the farmers. The chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, is personally happy with Kokate's performance as minister and his work, but not happy with his controversial remarks. The minister has also started cleaning the system and bringing new ideas and innovations, such as the use of artificial intelligence on a larger scale that will not only reduce the input cost but also increase production as well. This AI will give multiple benefits to farmers,' said a person who requested anonymity. He further added Mr Kokate was only minister who sought IAS officer V Radha as secretary of his department. 'Mr Kokate has even wrote letter to chief minister getting V Radha as secretary of his agriculture department. Otherwise, most of the ministers asks for her transfer from their department because of her non nonsense approach towards the corruptions and malpractice. No ministers want the upright officer, but here Mr Kokate turned the exception. V Radha was given another assignment therefore she could join agriculture department. But this right approach of Mr Kokate is appreciated,'' said senior government officer adding in six months period, agriculture ministry has credited Rs 46,000 crore in 1.2 crore farmers bank account as financial assistance.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Wild card: Ajit Pawar's dilemma over Kokate
Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar is under pressure to take action against agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate as a video of him playing an online card game has put the Mahayuti in an embarrassing situation. The image of Kokate playing online rummy while sitting in the legislature while farmers are in distress is a good catchline for the Opposition to target the ruling alliance. The incident compelled Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ask both his deputies to take some action against ministers who are kicking up controversies, that too close to the local body polls. Wild card: Ajit Pawar's dilemma over Kokate Going by insiders in both the parties, sacking Kokate of the NCP or social justice minister Sanjay Shirsat of the Shiv Sena is not an easy option for Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde. In NCP, most leaders are not in favour of dropping Kokate from the cabinet. They are pointing out that Shinde did not take action against his ministers over the allegations. Besides, NCP has already dropped one minister (Dhananjay Munde) and sacking two ministers within six months of government formation would not look good for the party, they feel. Pawar however has another dilemma. His party's base is largely rural and he doesn't want a negative image among farmers. Besides, the viral video of the assault on leader of Maratha outfit Chhava, also irked him. Though the party's former youth wing chief Suraj Chavan, who was responsible for the assault, was sacked, Chhava has been demanding Kokate's ouster as well. Ajit always had good relations with leaders of most Maratha outfits and is liked by their followers. Considering these aspects, he will have to show that some action was taken. Will Kokate be sacked or stripped of the agriculture portfolio? Ajit Pawar is expected to decide in the next two days. *Shinde's support for Kadam While Ajit Pawar deliberates on what action is to be taken against Kokate, deputy chief minister Shinde gave an indication that he was unlikely to take any action against party leader and minister of state for home Yogesh Kadam. Speaking at a programme at Khed in Ratnagiri, he publicly assured Kadam that he doesn't have any reason to worry. Kadam is under the radar of the Opposition after Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Anil Parab alleged that a bar in Kandivali whose license was in the name of his mother was being illegally run as a dance bar. Parab had questioned the propriety of a minister's family running a dance bar while he as a minister in home department was supposed to put restrictions on such bars. Yogesh's father and one of the most vocal Sena leader, Ramdas Kadam seemed happy with Shinde's assurance. Speaking at the function, he alleged that there was a conspiracy against Shinde's ministers. He however did not divulge who was hatching the conspiracy: Friends or foes? Significantly, Shinde has not yet said anything about social justice minister Sanjay Shirsat who is involved in a series of controversies, including a controversial bid by his son to buy a hotel in Sambhajinagar in a government auction. Like Ramdas Kadam, Shirsat too is a vocal supporter of Shinde and a critic of Uddhav Thackeray. *Seeking divine intervention Meanwhile, agriculture minister Kokate sought the blessings of Lord Shani at a popular temple in Nandurbar district in north Maharashtra on Saturday. During his tour of the district, Kokate paid a visit to the Shanimandal temple. 'I prayed that the calamities on all of us should go away,' he said after the visit. He is likely to know by Tuesday if God has indeed listened to his prayers. Raj's post on 'Sena chief' MNS chief Raj Thackeray's social media post after he visited Matoshree to wish cousin Uddhav Thackeray on his birthday has become a huge talking point. In his post, Raj mentioned Uddhav as 'Shiv Sena party chief'. After Eknath Shinde took over the Sena and got recognised by the Election Commission of India, Raj had publicly criticised him for 'hijacking the party'. He had also pointed out that he chose to float his own party but never thought about taking over the party formed by Balasaheb Thackeray. Raj's post is being seen by Sena(UBT) workers as his recognition that Uddhav is heading the 'real Shiv Sena'. Hence, his visit to Matoshree and this post put a smile on the faces of many Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders.
NDTV
4 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Sharad Pawar's NCP Urges Devendra Fadnavis To Sack Minister Over Rummy Video Row
Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (SP) Maharashtra unit chief Shashikant Shinde on Friday said agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate should be removed from the Devendra Fadnavis government. Mr Kokate is under fire for allegedly playing a game of rummy on his mobile phone while the Monsoon session of the state legislature was in progress, though he has claimed he was swiping out an advertisement of the game in order to access something on the internet. "If the state government wants to salvage its image amid criticism from farmers and the assault on Chhava Sanghatna activists, Kokate must be removed. Protests against him are intensifying across the state, and if he doesn't resign, the agitation will turn against the government," Mr Shinde said. Some Chhava Sanghatna activists were beaten up at a press conference of NCP leader Sunil Tatkare when they threw cards while protesting against Mr Kokate. Mr Shinde also claimed complaints against several ministers have reached Delhi and indicated the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle. "What I feel is that the chief minister himself does not want these ministers in the cabinet, and action will be taken against them," he added. On the suicide of contractor Harshal Patil allegedly over non-payment of dues for works under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP leader said contractors across the state have been protesting for the past six months over unpaid government dues.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Farmer sends seed earnings to Kokate with unusual request to play rummy & help his family financially
Nashik: A 25-year-old farmer from Devgaon village in Niphad taluka on Thursday sent his seed sale earnings to agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate, with a peculiar request — to play online rummy and help support the farmer's family financially. On July 20, a video of agriculture minister Kokate went viral on social media, purportedly showing him playing rummy when the house was in session. Kokate, however, refuted the allegation. Farmer Yogesh Khule, who sent the money to Kokate, said he owned 10 acres in Devgaon village and waterlogging due to poor drainage prevented farmers in the area from sowing seeds, threatening the kharif crop. "If I am going to lose the kharif crop, the thought occurred to me to invest the money from where I'll get returns. I therefore sold off the seeds bought from the market and sent Rs 5,500, which I received, to the agriculture minister, requesting him to play a game of rummy online and help my family's living for this season," he said. Kokate's PA was reached for the minister's comment on the issue, who claimed that the minister was busy. His response was awaited till going to press. Having completed his Std XII seven years ago, Khule took up farming to support his family. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Here's The Average Price of a 6-Hour Eavestroughs Upgrade in Ontario Leaf Filter Partner Undo His younger brother is pursuing a Master's in computer application and his younger sister has completed her second-year in commerce. Khule clarified, "I have no grudge against the minister and have not verified the video about his playing rummy. I don't want to be personal. This is the issue of the farmers, and I just thought of acting on it, so I acted." When asked if he borrowed the idea or got support from anyone, Khule said, "I do not belong to any group other than that of the farmers. I have no sponsors or mentors, and my sole aim is to support my family and the farming community and do whatever I can. This was the idea which I could do, and hence did it...I hope govt takes the act seriously and does not consider my act as a mockery."
