Tatkare: Min claim incorrect, Ajit to take call on ouster | India News

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar/Kolhapur/Mumbai: Amid MVA’s demands for agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate’s ouster over videos that showed him playing rummy in the legislative council last week, state NCP president Sunil Tatkare expressed strong disapproval of his conduct and said a decision on his resignation will be taken by party national president Ajit Pawar. “What happened was inappropriate. A minister holding a sensitive and important portfolio, such as agriculture, must work responsibly for the welfare of farmers, especially during times of agrarian crises. The party will take a suitable decision,” he said. Calling the minister’s claim that an ad for the game popped up on his phone “incorrect”, Tatkare, considered close to Pawar, said he believed the deputy CM might have already spoken to Kokate. On Kokate’s recent brushes with controversies, including claiming that farmers spend money received from agricultural schemes on engagement ceremonies and weddings, Tatkare said, “His remarks on crop insurance and loan waivers were improper. Ajitdada (Pawar) had reprimanded him even earlier… Such behaviour is not acceptable when farmers are suffering.”NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, who had posted the two videos “exposing” Kokate, demanded that govt sack him and entrust the ministry to one who is sensitive to farmers’ struggles.