Maharashtra Minister Manikrao Kokate Reassigned Amid Controversy Over Card Game
Minister's Reshuffle Following Online Game Controversy
In the wake of a controversy involving Maharashtra minister Manikrao Kokate allegedly engaging in an online card game during an Assembly session, the state government announced his transfer from the agriculture ministry to the sports and youth welfare department on Thursday night.
A notification from the General Administration Department confirmed that Dattatrey Bharne, the current sports minister, will take over as the new agriculture minister.
Additionally, Kokate will oversee the minority development and Auqaf department.
The political uproar began on July 20 when a video surfaced on social media, shared by Rohit Pawar, a leader from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), showing Kokate apparently playing an online card game in the Assembly.
Pawar criticized Kokate on X, suggesting that he had time for games while pressing agricultural issues remained unresolved, stating that eight farmers are taking their lives daily in Maharashtra.
Kokate, affiliated with the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar, represents the Sinnar constituency in Nashik. This faction is part of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition, which includes the BJP and the Shiv Sena faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
In response to the allegations, Kokate claimed that someone else had downloaded the game on his device and that he was merely watching proceedings from the other House on YouTube when the game appeared during an ad break.
He insisted that it was a solitaire game, not rummy, and labeled the situation a “conspiracy,” urging for the full video to be released. Kokate expressed confidence that the opposition's efforts would not succeed.
The video sparked backlash from various political figures, with many calling for his resignation.
Earlier on Thursday, amid uncertainty regarding his position in the Cabinet, Kokate stated that he had neither resigned nor been asked to resign by his party or Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
He remarked, “I do not wish to discuss this matter further,” as reported by a news channel in Pune, adding that he would comment after the inquiry into the card game incident concludes.
Kokate mentioned that he had met with Ajit Pawar to discuss the issue and had apologized to farmers if their feelings were hurt by the controversy surrounding the card game.
Earlier in July, Kokate had also stirred controversy by referring to the state government as a “beggar” in a discussion about crop loan insurance, which displeased the chief minister.
On Thursday, he stated, “I reached out to clarify my comments. I attribute it to a lack of articulation.”