<p>Pune: Amid speculation on his continuation in the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/maharashtra">Maharashtra</a> cabinet, controversial agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate on Thursday claimed he neither offered to resign nor was he asked to step down by the NCP or Chief Minister <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/devendra-fadnavis">Devendra Fadnavis</a>.</p><p>A huge political firestorm erupted after videos purportedly showing <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra/rohit-pawar-slams-ncp-as-video-shows-minister-playing-game-on-phone-in-assembly-3639039">Kokate playing a rummy game of cards</a> in the state legislature went viral.</p><p>The Opposition has been demanding Kokate's resignation over his repeated remarks that have triggered controversies in the last few months.</p>.Online 'Rummy' video row: Manikrao Kokate’s fate to be decided next week .<p>The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader has denied allegations of playing a game of cards.</p><p>"I do not want to speak on this issue anymore. I will speak after the inquiry report (on the card game issue) is out," Kokate told a Marathi news channel in Pune.</p><p>Kokate was reportedly ticked off by Ajit Pawar on Tuesday during their meeting in Mantralaya.</p><p>"I met Ajitdada on my own and clarified my stand. I had apologised to farmers recently during media interaction if their sentiments were hurt due to the card game controversy," he said.</p><p>Responding to a specific query, Kokate said neither he offered to quit as a minister nor was he asked to step down by any leader of NCP, government or the chief minister.</p><p>He recently ignited another row by terming the state government a "beggar" while clarifying his previous controversial remarks directed at farmers on the Re 1 crop insurance.</p><p>"The chief minister had expressed his displeasure over the beggar's statement. I called him up and clarified my stand. I blame it on the lack of articulation," he added.</p>
<p>Pune: Amid speculation on his continuation in the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/maharashtra">Maharashtra</a> cabinet, controversial agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate on Thursday claimed he neither offered to resign nor was he asked to step down by the NCP or Chief Minister <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/devendra-fadnavis">Devendra Fadnavis</a>.</p><p>A huge political firestorm erupted after videos purportedly showing <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra/rohit-pawar-slams-ncp-as-video-shows-minister-playing-game-on-phone-in-assembly-3639039">Kokate playing a rummy game of cards</a> in the state legislature went viral.</p><p>The Opposition has been demanding Kokate's resignation over his repeated remarks that have triggered controversies in the last few months.</p>.Online 'Rummy' video row: Manikrao Kokate’s fate to be decided next week .<p>The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader has denied allegations of playing a game of cards.</p><p>"I do not want to speak on this issue anymore. I will speak after the inquiry report (on the card game issue) is out," Kokate told a Marathi news channel in Pune.</p><p>Kokate was reportedly ticked off by Ajit Pawar on Tuesday during their meeting in Mantralaya.</p><p>"I met Ajitdada on my own and clarified my stand. I had apologised to farmers recently during media interaction if their sentiments were hurt due to the card game controversy," he said.</p><p>Responding to a specific query, Kokate said neither he offered to quit as a minister nor was he asked to step down by any leader of NCP, government or the chief minister.</p><p>He recently ignited another row by terming the state government a "beggar" while clarifying his previous controversial remarks directed at farmers on the Re 1 crop insurance.</p><p>"The chief minister had expressed his displeasure over the beggar's statement. I called him up and clarified my stand. I blame it on the lack of articulation," he added.</p>