Minister Kokate must go, why is CM Fadnavis backing him? asks Congress' Sapkal

Mumbai: The Congress on Tuesday sought to corner Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over his under-fire cabinet colleague Manikrao Kokate and sought to know if he lacks courage to sack the latter who is facing criticism on 'rummy' row and 'beggar' remarks.

Kokate, an NCP minister who holds the agriculture portfolio, landed in a controversy when videos surfaced showing him purportedly playing an online card game, rummy, in the legislative council when the house was in session last week.

The farm minister on Tuesday strongly refuted opposition claim of playing rummy on his phone in the council, but waded into another controversy when he termed the government a "beggar" while trying to clarify an earlier comment on farmers.

Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal sought to know if Fadnavis lacks courage to sack Kokate from the cabinet over his sensitive and brazen remarks.

"If ministers themselves say 'the government is a beggar,' then this is the height of insensitivity, " Sapkal said in a statement.

''Maharashtra has a rich political tradition and culture, but has the Fadnavis-led government taken it upon itself to ruin that legacy? Ministers in Fadnavis' cabinet seem like a collection of rare specimens -- each one a 'gem' in his own way. Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate has crossed all limits. By calling the government 'a beggar', he has showed extreme insensitivity," he said.

The opposition party's leader pushed for Kokate's immediate sacking from the cabinet.

"A minister like him should not be retained in office even for a minute. Then why is the Chief Minister backing him? Does Fadnavis not have courage to sack Kokate?" the Congress leader asked.

Sapkal noted that videos of Kokate allegedly playing online game rummy in the council have been widely circulated across media and social platforms.

State farmers are struggling, compensation for losses caused due to unseasonal rains was yet to be disbursed, agriculture products are not fetching fair prices, loan waiver promise remains unfulfilled and some regions are facing crisis of re-sowing due to failed crops, he pointed out.

Amidst all these challenges, Kokate's actions and irresponsible remarks show his utter lack of seriousness, the MPCC president maintained.

According to Sapkal, the NCP minister's display of defiance after his controversial remarks shows he "shamelessly pretends he has done nothing wrong".

"It appears even the Chief Minister does not command any respect from Kokate. Such a minister should be immediately shown the door. But since that hasn't happened, it suggests Fadnavis is somehow helpless or constrained," the Congress leader remarked.

Sapkal argued that by repeatedly making controversial statements, Kokate has brought disgrace to his ministerial office.

"A person like him remaining in a ministerial post is neither in the interest of the state nor farmers. The rate of farmer suicides in Maharashtra is alarming, and it is nothing to be proud of. Therefore, Kokate must be removed from his position without delay," the MPCC president insisted.