Amid speculation on his continuation in the Maharashtra Cabinet, controversial Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate on Thursday (July 31, 2025) claimed he neither offered to resign nor was he asked to step down by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) or Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
A huge political firestorm erupted after videos purportedly showing Mr. Kokate playing a rummy game of cards in the State legislature went viral.
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The Opposition has been demanding Mr. Kokate's resignation over his repeated remarks that have triggered controversies in the last few months. The NCP leader has denied allegations of playing a game of cards.
"I do not want to speak on this issue anymore. I will speak after the inquiry report (on the card game issue) is out," Mr. Kokate told a Marathi news channel in Pune. Mr. Kokate was reportedly ticked off by Ajit Pawar on Tuesday (July 29, 2025) during their meeting in Mantralaya.
