Latest news with #Tatkare
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Maratha grp attack: NCP leader given marching orders
Pune: NCP president and deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Monday directed the party's youth wing chief, Suraj Chavan, to resign a day after he and some party workers allegedly assaulted an office-bearer of Maratha outfit Chhava Sanghatana in Latur for flinging playing cards at state NCP chief Sunil Tatkare to protest the videos showing agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate playing rummy in the House. In a post on X, Pawar said the decision was taken to show that the party will not tolerate any action against its ideology. "Against the backdrop of [Sunday's] serious incident in Latur, I have instructed NCP state youth president Suraj Chavan to resign from his post. I strongly protest any form of violence and the use of unparliamentary language. The identity of NCP is based on the democratic values of equality taught by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule and Babasaheb Ambedkar. I want to make it clear to all party workers to give priority to democracy, peaceful conduct and non-violence," he said. Chhava Sanghatana's Vijaykumar Ghadge and other members went to meet Tatkare on Sunday to submit a memorandum demanding Kokate's resignation. They raised slogans against Kokate and threw cards at Tatkare. After Tatkare left the venue, Chavan and other party members allegedly attacked Ghadge, who was sitting in another room. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Following outrage from farmers' organisations and the opposition, Chavan tendered an apology. "There were some unconstitutional words used by the protesters, which led to the conflict between NCP and Chhava members. I regret my action and apologise. I will soon meet Ghadge in person to clear the misunderstanding," he said. Soon after the attack, he had defended his and other NCP workers' action as a "natural reaction" to alleged attempts to humiliate party functionaries. He had acknowledged Chhava Sanghatna's right to democratic protest, but suggested that the card-throwing protest was out of line. Chhava Sanghatana members from Latur, Nanded, Dharashiv and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar registered their protests and demanded strict action against Chavan and other NCP members involved in the violence. No case was lodged in connection with the violence.
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.
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.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Chhava activists beaten for throwing cards at NCP state chief in Latur
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A Maratha outfit's protest at NCP state president Sunil Tatkare's press meet in Latur sparked chaos on Sunday evening. The members of the Chhava Sanghatna threw playing cards at Tatkare, demanding the resignation of agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate, who is facing allegations of playing online games on his phone during an assembly session. This led to local NCP activists allegedly assaulting some members of the Maratha organisation. Chhava Sanghatna, led by Vijaykumar Ghadge, initially submitted a memorandum to Tatkare demanding Kokate's resignation. Chhava Sanghatna activists shouted slogans against Kokate and threw playing cards at Tatkare. Shortly after Tatkare left the venue, local NCP politicians approached Chhava Sanghatna activists in a nearby room and allegedly began assaulting them. One NCP worker allegedly struck a Chhava Sanghatna member on the head with a chair as police attempted to control the situation. Ghadge-Patil later told reporters that "NCP goons" attacked Chhava Sanghatna activists for demanding Kokate's resignation. "The power has gone to the head of the NCP politicians. They should not forget that Chhava Sanghatna is made of sons of farmers, and we will retaliate soon," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo NCP spokesperson Suraj Chavan, who was present during the press meet, said the attack on Chhava Sanghatna activists was a natural reaction by his party workers. "Nobody objects to protests being held democratically, but deliberately targeting our state functionaries and trying to humiliate them is not acceptable," he said. NCP (SP) politician Vidya Chavan called the attack on Chhava Sanghatna activists horrible. "In a democracy, everyone has the right to ask questions. It does not mean those asking such questions are subjected to attacks," she said, adding that Kokate must speak the truth and accept his mistake first. No case was registered in connection with the incident by Sunday night.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
NCP's Tatkare says discussions held with BJP over possible merger
Amid speculation over a possible merger of the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), NCP's Maharashtra unit chief Sunil Tatkare on Friday clarified that there are no such discussions underway. However, he added that if any such move is considered in the future, it will be taken only after consulting the BJP's central leadership. Tatkare was speaking at a party workers' meeting during his organisational tour of Marathwada. 'The BJP leadership has accepted us with due thought. If any decision on merger ever has to be taken, BJP's top leadership will certainly be taken into confidence,' he said. Tatkare also remarked that the party's current experience within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has been 'more harmonious' compared to earlier alliances. Reflecting on the NCP's past, he noted that even in 1999, despite contesting against the Congress, the party chose not to align with the BJP, then led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. 'Today, however, we have passed a resolution to remain with the NDA,' he said. On preparations for upcoming local body elections, Tatkare said the party is receiving encouraging responses from its ongoing tours in North Maharashtra and Marathwada. Referring to possible seat-sharing scenarios, he said, 'In some places, we may consider contesting outside the Mahayuti alliance. A final call will be taken after district-wise reviews in coordination committee meetings.' Responding to questions on the Public Security Act—recently backed by the NCP in the legislature—despite opposition from party founder Sharad Pawar, Tatkare said support for the Act does not indicate a rejection of Pawar's ideology. 'We are in the government, and the Bill has been thoroughly read and understood. The support is based on that. But that does not mean we are going against Pawar saheb's thinking,' he said. Among those present at the meeting were district president Satish Chavan, Maharashtra Women's Commission chairperson Rupali Patil Chakankar, and MLA Vikram Kale.
