Nationalist Congress Party Minister Manikrao Kokate has resigned from the Maharashtra Cabinet following a court verdict upholding his conviction and two-year jail term in a cheating and forgery case, NCP president and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on Thursday (December 18, 2025).
In a statement, Mr. Pawar said the resignation letter of Kokate, who was divested of all his portfolios on Wednesday (December 17), has been forwarded to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The Deputy Chief Minister noted Kokate's resignation follows a court verdict and affirmed his party places supremacy of law above individuals.
He said Kokate, who held Sports and Youth Welfare, Minority Development and Aukaf portfolios, tendered his resignation to him which has been accepted in principle keeping with the party's long standing stance that laws and rules are paramount.
"As per constitutional procedure, the resignation has been forwarded to the chief minister for further action," Mr. Pawar said.
