National News: Maharashtra’s Agriculture Minister, Manikrao Kokate, has sparked controversy after a video of him allegedly playing a rummy game on his mobile phone during a legislative assembly session went viral. The incident has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders, who accuse the Mahayuti government of being apathetic toward farmers' issues.
Opposition Criticizes Minister Rohit Pawar at the Forefront
Rohit Pawar, leader of the NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar, was quick to respond to the viral video. Taking to social media, he lashed out at Kokate, saying: "Key issues like crop insurance, loan waivers, and minimum support prices have been pending for years. With an average of eight farmer suicides occurring daily, the Agriculture Minister still finds time to play mobile games in the assembly. Has he ever stepped into a farmer’s field to understand their pain?" Pawar went on to label the current government as “insensitive” and disconnected from the ground realities faced by farmers.
“#_____…!”
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— Rohit Pawar (@RRPSpeaks) July 20, 2025Minister Kokate Responds to Allegations
In response to the criticism, Minister Kokate issued a clarification, denying any deliberate wrongdoing. He explained: "I was aware of the cameras and would never intentionally play a game during the session. I had opened YouTube solely to watch the live proceedings of the Assembly session. The game appeared on the screen accidentally, and I struggled to close it. I exited the app as soon as I could." Kokate further alleged that the opposition was misrepresenting the situation by circulating an incomplete video to malign his image.
Ethics in Public Office Under Scrutiny
The episode has once again sparked a discussion in Maharashtra about political ethics and the need for greater accountability. While the opposition views the act as a blatant insult to farmers and the legislative process, the minister and his supporters insist it was a minor and unintentional error. The controversy now raises questions about the standards of conduct expected from public representatives, especially at a time when the agricultural sector in the state is grappling with serious challenges. Whether this episode will have lasting political consequences for Minister Kokate and the Mahayuti alliance remains to be seen in the coming assembly sessions.
