Close on the heels of rummy row, NCP minister Kokate calls govt 'beggar'; Fadnavis says remark 'inappropriate'

Nashik: Maharashtra minister Manikrao Kokate, who has been accused of playing rummy on his phone in the legislature, on Tuesday waded into another controversy as he termed the government a "beggar" while trying to clarify an earlier comment on farmers.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said it was inappropriate for ministers to speak in such a manner and asserted Maharashtra's economy was in good shape despite challenges.

Earlier this year, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Kokate, who handles the agriculture ministry, allegedly compared farmers to beggars, inviting severe criticism.

"Even a beggar does not take Re 1 in alms, but here we are giving crop insurance for Re 1. Even then, some people try to misuse it," he had said.

Asked about his remark, Kokate on Tuesday told reporters, "The government doesn't give Re 1 to farmers, it takes Re 1 from them. The government is a beggar."

The minister, who represents the Sinnar constituency in Nashik district, said 5 lakh to 5.3 lakh bogus applications for the Re 1 crop insurance scheme had been received and he rejected them and implemented several corrective steps.

The Re 1 crop insurance scheme, launched two years ago, was scrapped a few months back and replaced with the Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme.

Reacting to Kokate's remarks, Fadnavis said, "If he has made such a comment, it is inappropriate for ministers to speak in this manner. We have taken corrective measures in the crop insurance scheme as we saw insurance companies benefitting and not farmers."

"We have taken steps to make an investment of Rs 5,000 crore every year in the agriculture sector. Maharashtra's economy is good despite challenges," the CM told reporters in Gadchiroli.

NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule in a post on X said calling the state "beggar" was an act of insensitivity.

"It is an insult to the hard work of all the chief ministers of the state so far and the people of the state. We will never tolerate this insult," she said.

Earlier while talking to reporters here, Kokate claimed he never played rummy on his mobile phone as alleged by opposition parties and rejected demands to step down, stressing that a trivial issue was blown out of proportion.

When the minister's convoy was on way to Nashik Road, some activists of the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) tried to throw playing cards at his convoy to register their protest against him.

A political storm erupted on Sunday after NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar posted a video clip of Kokate purportedly playing rummy on his mobile phone during the monsoon session of the state legislature. On Monday, Pawar's colleague Jitendra Awhad posted two videos, claiming Kokate was playing 'Junglee rummy' on his mobile phone during the monsoon session.

Amid the growing clamour for Kokate's resignation, NCP state president Sunil Tatkare on Monday said the party head and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar will take a serious note of the video and talk to the minister accordingly.

Kokate warned of legal action against politicians who "defamed" him by sharing his video.

"I don't know how to play online rummy. One needs an OTP, and a bank account needs to be linked to play the game. One can check if my mobile phone is linked to any such game. I was trying to skip a game which popped up on my screen for 10 to 15 seconds," Kokate told a press conference here.

Asked about demands for his resignation, the minister retorted, "Tell me what has happened for which the resignation has been demanded. Have I molested someone? Have I stolen something or decided against farmers? Do I have a criminal background?"

Kokate said he will sue the opposition leaders who tried to "defame" him by circulating only a part of the video.

"They haven't shown the full video. It would have cleared the facts. This is a small issue and it has been stretched too far," he added.

The NCP leader said he would write to CM Fadnavis, his deputy Ajit Pawar, and the legislative assembly speaker to conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter.

"If the video is proved right, I will tender my resignation. The CM or Deputy CM can give a statement during the winter session of the state legislature, and I will tender my resignation to the Governor without even meeting the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister," Kokate added.

Fadnavis on Monday expressed his disapproval over Kokate's video clip.

Responding to the chief minister's remarks, Kokate said, "The CM's reaction is based on media reports. It's true I didn't brief him".

Kokate asserted he has been following the rules and regulations of the state legislature for the last 25 years.

His remarks embarrassed the NCP in the past too.

A huge row erupted in April when Kokate stated that farmers do not spend money received from agriculture schemes on intended purposes, but instead use it for engagement ceremonies and weddings.

As his remarks drew condemnation, he expressed remorse and tendered an apology.

Kokate is also facing legal trouble.

A magistrate court in Nashik district had convicted Kokate and his brother, Sunil Kokate, on the charge of submitting fake documents to secure flats under a government quota, and sentenced them to two years of imprisonment.

Their conviction was stayed by the district court on March 5.