Farmers, oppn demand Kokate's resignation over string of controversies
Protestors in some parts demanded his immediate sacking from the cabinet.
After he was recently captured on video playing a game of cards when the assembly was in session, the minister landed in deeper controversy with his 'state govt is a beggar' remark on Tuesday sparking outrage among the farming community.
Kokate, who represents Nashik's Sinnar assembly constituency, was responding to questions about his previous remarks that beggars do not accept Re 1 in alms but govt provides crop insurance for that amount.
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He clarified, "Govt doesn't give Re 1 to the farmers, it takes Re 1 from them for crop insurance. So who is the beggar here? Govt is a beggar, and not the farmer. My statement was misconstrued."
President of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana Raju Shetti criticised govt for not dropping Kokate from the cabinet despite his controversial remarks.
He said, "Nearly 20% farmers are not able to sow their fields and many more will have to spend more money on re-sowing due to inadequate rainfall.
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Instead of providing relief to the distressed community, Kokate was playing an online game in the monsoon session. If he behaves irresponsibly, the chief minister and deputy chief ministers should take responsibility and remove him as agriculture minister."
When the opposition targeted Kokate after his video surfaced on social media, he refused to resign and said he was ready to face an inquiry. While trying to clarify his position on Tuesday, the minister landed in more trouble when he said govt was a beggar.
Welfare organisation Prahar's founder and former MLA Bachchu Kadu said, "This is probably the eighth or the ninth time that Kokate has made a controversial statement. It is quite shocking that he continues to be a minister. By calling govt a beggar, he has indirectly admitted that the state is facing a financial crisis. Either govt should respond to his statement or take action against him."
Members of Maratha Kranti Morcha and NCP (SP)'s Pune unit demanded Kokate's resignation. Newly appointed NCP (SP) state president Shashikant Shinde said, "The farming community and the opposition want Kokate's resignation but he says he will not quit. It shows that the chief minister and deputy chief ministers have no control over their ministers."
He added that when Congress-NCP was in govt, several ministers resigned on moral grounds after they faced allegations. "But, it looks like Mahayuti is starting a new trend of shielding its ministers," Shinde said.
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