Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 1 (ANI): The Maharashtra government has moved Manikrao Kokate from the Agriculture ministry to the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs after a viral video of him playing a game on his mobile during the assembly session stirred a political row.
The controversy erupted after the NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar shared a video clip on X, showing Kokate allegedly playing an online rummy game on his phone during the session.
NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule strongly reacted to the government’s decision to reassign the the minister’s portfolio, terming the decision a “reward” for playing rummy.
In a post on X, Sule said, “The honourable Minister, who tarnishes the state’s reputation by calling the Maharashtra government a “beggar,” should be shown the door by none other than the honourable Chief Minister himself. The decision to reward him for playing rummy in the legislature by appointing him as the Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare and Minority Development, and Waqf is truly incomprehensible.”
Sule termed the appointment of Kokate as Minister of Sports as a “cruel joke.”
“This has laid bare the government’s priorities. On one hand, the younger generation in the state is being ruined by chasing online rummy, and while there is a demand to ban it, giving an important portfolio like Sports and Youth Welfare to Manikrao Kokate as a reward for playing rummy in the legislature is nothing short of a cruel joke,” NCP-SP leader Sule said.
https://x.com/supriya_sule/status/1951134851236876703
She further demanded the resignation of the newly appointed Sports minister.
“My humble request to the honourable Chief Minister is to please accept Manikrao Kokate’s resignation and work to preserve the state’s reputation.”
Earlier on July 25, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar said that he has ordered a detailed inquiry into the viral video of Manikrao Kokate
Speaking with ANI, Narverkar said that he will comment on the incident after receiving the report. However, he condemned the act of recording the video, terming it “an insult” to the assembly, as it is not permitted.
“I have ordered a detailed inquiry into the matter. I will comment on the issue once I receive the report. It is not allowed to shoot such videos in the Assembly. This is also an insult to the Assembly. An inquiry will have to be done in this matter.” (ANI)
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