A viral video of Maharashtra’s Agriculture Minister allegedly playing rummy during Assembly has triggered controversy. Rohit Pawar demands his resignation; Kokate denies wrongdoing, citing an unskippable ad. Investigation likely.
Mumbai | 22 July, 2025: A political storm has erupted in Maharashtra after a viral video surfaced showing Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate allegedly playing rummy on his phone during a Legislative Assembly session. The video, widely circulated on social media, has led to severe criticism, prompting Kokate to hold a press conference to defend himself.
Kokate clarified that he was not playing rummy, but had unintentionally clicked on a game advertisement that appeared on his phone, claiming, “I don’t even know how to play rummy. If proven guilty in the investigation, I will resign without being asked.”
However, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Rohit Pawar was quick to call Kokate’s bluff. In a sharp response, he tweeted, “Which card game advertisement takes 42 seconds to skip? Kokate Saheb’s story sounds like the flicker of a dying flame — louder as it fades.” He also alleged that the Assembly was in session and a key discussion regarding milch animal provisions for tribal communities was underway when Kokate was seen distracted.
Rohit Pawar added that he initially refrained from sharing the video with sound out of respect for the legislature, but since the minister plans to go to court, he feels compelled to “bring the truth to the people’s court.” Pawar demanded Kokate’s immediate resignation to allow for a fair investigation, urging him not to make farmers wait till the next session for accountability.
Meanwhile, NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) MLA Amol Mitkari raised concerns over how the video was recorded and leaked, questioning, “Who zoomed in from the Legislative Council gallery and handed it over to the opposition? Doesn’t this violate filming rules?”
The controversy has sparked debates over ethics, transparency, and digital discipline within the Assembly, as pressure mounts on the minister to step down pending investigation.
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