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Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Decision on Manikrao Kokate after meeting him next week: Ajit Pawar
MUMBAI: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday said he will meet agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) next week to hear him out on the controversy over the minister playing a card game on his phone in the legislative council, and then take a decision. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar arrives at the Vidhan Bhavan for the monsoon session of the state assembly in Mumbai (PTI FILE) Pawar also emphasised that this was not the first time Kokate, a five-time lawmaker, had landed in the middle of a controversy and had received a warning. 'He is yet to meet me. The last time he did something like this, I asked him to be careful. After the second incident, I had warned him. Now, I will meet him either on Monday or Tuesday to hear his side of the story and then take a call after discussing it with the chief minister (Devendra Fadnavis),' Pawar told reporters in the state secretariat on Thursday afternoon. To be sure, Fadnavis has already made his displeasure known at Kokate's conduct in the legislative council. 'It was absolutely wrong. Ministers are expected to take legislative business very seriously even if their business is not on the agenda. Members do read documents and news but the video of Kokate playing rummy was inappropriate. Even though he tried to clarify that the rummy game popped up on his mobile screen, what happened was indecorous,' Fadnavis told reporters on July 21 after the video of Kokate playing an online card game in the legislative council emerged. Kokate, who represents Sinnar assembly in Nashik, initially denied the accusation, insisting that he wanted to watch the proceedings on YouTube when an ad for a card game appeared on the screen and people thought he was playing. Legislator Rohit Pawar of the NCP (Sharad Pawar), who released the first video of the minister playing cards, put out two more to rebut the minister's claim and demonstrate that the card game visible on Kokate's phone was not an advertisement. Rohit said the NCP should sack the minister, a demand echoed by other opposition parties. Responding to the demands, Ajit Pawar said he was an outspoken leader who called the spade a spade and pointed to a probe ordered by the legislative council chairman Ram Shinde into the episode. Senior NCP leaders said Ajit Pawar has two options: to ask Fadnavis to drop Kokate from the council of ministers or change his portfolio. 'The final call will be taken by Ajit dada in consultation with senior leaders before meeting Fadnavis,' said a senior minister seeking anonymity. NCP state president Sunil Tatkare has already said Ajit Pawar will take a call on Kokate. Kokate is no stranger to controversies. In January, he embarrassed the ruling alliance when he said that there was '3% to 4% corruption in every government scheme'. In February, he compared farmers with beggars and said, 'Nowadays, even beggars do not even accept a single rupee but the government offers crop insurance to farmers for just one rupee.' In April, he again sparked a row when he accused farmers of deliberately defaulting on crop loans in the hope of getting a loan waiver, and splurging the money saved on weddings and engagements. The controversy further intensified when Kokate accused the media of twisting facts and offered a bizarre clarification for his previous statement about crop insurance for Re 1. 'The point of that statement was that the government takes Re 1 from farmers against insurance. It doesn't give money to them, so the beggar, in this case, is the government and not the farmers. But my statement was twisted,' he said. An irked Fadnavis again expressed his unhappiness at the latter's fresh remarks. 'I didn't hear what he said but if he has said something like this, then it is wrong,' he said on Tuesday.
Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Disrespecting Marathi ‘will not be tolerated': Amid rising tensions, Ajit Pawar urges respect for languages
Amid rising incidents of people being assaulted over speaking Marathi, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar on Thursday called for greater respect for the state's language and culture, particularly from those who have migrated from other parts of India. Addressing the issue publicly in Mumbai, Pawar emphasised that while India is a diverse and multilingual country, every state has its own linguistic identity that must be honoured. 'In every state, the language of that particular region is important and should be respected and given priority,' Pawar said. 'At the same time, India is one nation. Outside our home states, Hindi is widely spoken, followed by English. This is the scenario across the country — from Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari,' he added. The statement was made against the backdrop of the state seeing several incidents of individuals being assaulted over speaking Marathi. This week itself, a student in Navi Mumbai and an attendant at the Nanded state transport bus stand were assaulted over the language issue. On his part, Pawar reiterated that Marathi holds the status of a classical language, underscoring its historical and cultural significance. He stated that while newcomers to Maharashtra are not expected to be fluent in Marathi, they should at least make an effort to learn and show respect for it. 'If someone who cannot speak Marathi says, 'We live here but cannot speak Marathi well, and our mother tongue is Hindi—but we respect Marathi and we are trying to learn,' then that is acceptable. If only this much is said, there would be no problem at all,' Pawar said. 'But if someone adamantly says, 'We will not speak Marathi,' that cannot be tolerated or accepted,' he added. Pawar clarified that his appeal is not about forcing anyone to abandon their native language, but about encouraging mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. 'You work here, live here—think about the local people, the Maharashtrians, and what they expect. This way, we can all live happily together,' he concluded. Asked about the statement made by Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan over the Marathi issue, Pawar said that posts like those of the governor and President of India are senior positions, and it would not be appropriate for him to speak about it. At a function on Tuesday, Radhakrishnan had stressed the need to stay away from spreading linguistic hatred, saying it would harm the state and affect industry and investments. 'If you come and beat me up, can I speak in Marathi immediately?' he had asked, saying, 'In the long run, we are doing harm to the state.'
The Print
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
Why Ajit Pawar's cornered over Manikrao Kokate, NCP's trouble-maker minister who's always dodged the rap
Two senior NCP leaders who did not wish to be named said party leaders are hoping Ajit Pawar takes some action against Kokate this time. So far, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has chosen to ignore a string of controversial statements made by Kokate since he became minister last December, and stay largely silent on the latest rummy allegation. Mumbai: The Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is under intense pressure from the Opposition to act against the state agriculture minister, NCP's Manikrao Kokate, who was filmed allegedly playing online rummy in the state assembly and has made several controversial remarks in the past few months. His latest remark was perceived as an indirect taunt at party chief Ajit Pawar. 'His statements are becoming a liability. He may not be dropped, but CM Devendra Fadnavis in consultation with Ajit dada (Ajit Pawar) may decide to change his department,' one of the two leaders said. Meanwhile, NCP state president Sunil Tatkare Wednesday told reporters, 'Ajit dada (Ajit Pawar) is the head of this party. He will speak with Kokate or take a stand on the issue.' Tatkare refused to elaborate, saying he has neither spoken to Kokate nor has he had any internal discussion about the issue within the party. He simply added, 'It is a responsibility of all of us to ensure what we say is appropriate.' Kokate had held a press conference on Tuesday where he denied playing rummy in the house and warned political leaders sharing his video of legal action. However, while he tried to put out one fire, he started another by using the word 'beggar' while talking about the state of Maharashtra government's finances. He made the comments while trying to clarify one of his previous controversial comments where he had used the word 'beggar' in relation to farmers, saying even a beggar does not take Re 1 as alms, but here, the state is giving crop insurance at Re 1. 'Using such a word to describe Maharashtra's finances when your own party's leader is finance minister is unacceptable. It doesn't reflect well on the party. That's why this time, there's a talk in the party that there could be action,' the second NCP leader who did not wish to be named said. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, CM Devendra Fadnavis had also condemned Kokate's 'beggar' remark. The next day, Rohit Pawar, MLA from the rival Sharad Pawar-led NCP, suggested that Ajit Pawar take charge of Kokate's agriculture department. 'Ajit dada had also stepped down as minister when allegations were made against him. As head of the party, he should show the same morality for his party colleagues. RR Aaba (former minister RR Patil) had also stepped down because of a simple utterance of a few words in Hindi that came out as very wrong at the time,' Rohit, who is Ajit's nephew, told reporters. Ajit Pawar, who was deputy CM in the Prithviraj Chavan-led government of the Congress and the undivided NCP, had stepped down after allegations of corruption in the irrigation department in 2012. RR Patil, who was home minister, resigned after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks because of his comment, 'Bade bade sheheron mein choti choti baatein hoti rehti hain' (small things keep happening in big cities). In a separate incident earlier this week, deputy CM Pawar directed his party's youth wing president Suraj Chavan to resign from his post following his involvement in an alleged assault. Chavan was allegedly involved in an altercation with activists of the Chhava Sanghatana, who had disrupted Tatkare's press conference in Latur to demand Kokate's resignation. Counter to Bhujbal Ever since he joined the cabinet in December last year, Kokate has often made comments that have created controversies for the Mahayuti government and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, right from blaming onion farmers for the low prices of their produce to indirectly stating there's corruption in the crop insurance scheme. He has also made comments blaming the state's flagship Ladki Bahin scheme for straining the coffers. Kokate, who has had a history of party hopping, was one of the first MLAs to follow Ajit Pawar when he walked out of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP. Being a Maratha from Nashik district, and a leader who has in the past locked horns with party colleague Chhagan Bhujbal, Kokate's presence in the cabinet serves as a counter force to Bhujbal, a heavyweight leader from the Other Backward Community (OBC). Bhujbal was initially dropped from the Mahayuti 2.0 cabinet. He was, however, accommodated this May to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Dhananjay Munde as food and civil supplies minister. 'Kokate and Bhujbal are known to be political foes, and his presence in the cabinet is more to keep Bhujbal's power in check. Moreover, while Bhujbal leads the OBC community, Kokate can help retain the Marathas in Nashik, which will be important from the point of view of the upcoming local body elections,' said Nitin Birmal, associate professor at the Dr. Ambedkar Art & Commerce College. Ajit Pawar has had friction with Bhujbal in the past. The NCP is unlikely to drop Kokate outright from the cabinet as it would be the party's second casualty. Munde had to resign in March after his close aide was arrested for the murder of a sarpanch in his home district of Beed. 'The allegations against Munde were serious with his very close aide being investigated for a gruesome crime. In comparison, the objections against Manikrao Kokate are more to do with his comments, and these tend to tide over. That's what Ajit Pawar is hoping will happen,' Birmal said. (Edited by Gitanjali Das) Also Read: Fadnavis pulls up ally Shinde Sena's MLA for thrashing canteen worker after viral video
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Wrong to give political colour to birthday wishes of Pawar, Thackeray: Fadnavis
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday urged not to attach political motives to birthday greetings, including those extended by his political rivals. Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis speaks during a ceremony held in Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai's honour by the Maharashtra legislature, at Vidhan Bhavan, in Mumbai, Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)(PTI07_08_2025_000236B) (PTI) Speaking to reporters after offering prayers at the Vitthal Temple in Pandharpur, Fadnavis said, 'We may differ ideologically, but we are not enemies. It is inappropriate to read politics into greetings exchanged on personal or festive occasions. Doing so distorts the cultural values of the state.' His remarks came a day after the release of a coffee table book commemorating his birthday, which featured congratulatory messages from Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) chief Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray. 'Some well-wishers compiled a book for my birthday and sought messages from various leaders. Both Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray offered kind words and good wishes. I appreciate that. But trying to politicise it would be narrow-minded,' he said. State minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule also reacted to Thackeray's praise for Fadnavis, stating that it reflects Maharashtra's cultural tradition of appreciating an individual's good work on their birthday. 'It is part of Maharashtra's tradition to commend the achievements of an individual on their birthday. Uddhavji has appreciated Devendra Fadnavis's work, his vision, and particularly the roadmap he has outlined for a developed Maharashtra by 2029. This vision has received a significant boost, and Uddhav Thackeray's praise is extremely significant, not just for state politics but for all political parties,' Bawankule said. Fadnavis spoke on the occasion of the 675th death anniversary of Saint Namdeo, calling the lives of saints a source of lasting inspiration. When asked about recent remarks by Governor CP Radhakrishnan related to the Marathi-Hindi language debate, the chief minister said it would be inappropriate to involve the governor in political matters. He declined to comment on calls for agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate's resignation after the latter was allegedly seen playing online rummy during a legislative council session. 'I am here for darshan,' he said. Fadnavis noted that he was open to discussing the Pandharpur corridor development project with local residents. The proposed plan includes road widening, relocation of shops, and better facilities for pilgrims visiting the Vitthal-Rukmini Temple.
Mint
a day ago
- Business
- Mint
Current agri loans over ₹28 lakh crore, but no waiver plan: Govt
The Centre has informed that agricultural loans worth over ₹ 28.5 lakh crore are outstanding but ruled out any plans for a waiver, minister of state in the ministry of finance Pankaj Chaudhary said in response to a question in Lok Sabha on Monday. Responding to Parliamentary questions by Lok Sabha MPs Supriya Sule (Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar, Maharashtra), Hanuman Beniwal (Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, Rajasthan) and others, the Ministry of Finance informed Monday that outstanding agricultural loans stood at ₹ 28,50,779.43 crore as of March 31, 2025. These are due from 1,762.96 lakh accounts. 'No proposal to waive off the outstanding agricultural loans, is under consideration with Union Government,' the government said. Meanwhile, it is important to note that farmer loans are different from other categories of lending such as personal loans but lately the stance of cooperative banks to insist on credit score for approval of loans has rattled farmers no end. Read this Livemint for details on this. However, it added that several measures have been taken 'to provide relief and to improve the economic conditions of the farmers which inter-alia includes timely and adequate credit through Kisan Credit Card (KCC) under which crop loan up to ₹ 3 lakh is provided at subsidized interest rates under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) with additional incentives for timely repayment, fixation of progressively increased agricultural credit target, issuance of revised Priority Sector Lending guidelines to ensure improved credit flow to the agricultural sector etc.' The top five states in terms of outstanding agricultural loans are Tamil Nadu: ₹ 4,03,367 crore; Andhra Pradesh: ₹ 3,08,716 crore; Maharashtra: ₹ 2,60,799 crore; Uttar Pradesh: ₹ 2,28,560 crore; Karnataka: ₹ 2,22,301 crore. State Loans ( ₹ crore) Rajasthan 1,87,322 MP 1,62,385 Kerala 1,52,198 Telangana 1,44,346 Gujarat 1,44,330 Punjab 1,04,353 (Source: Other states with dues in excess of ₹ 1 lakh crore are Rajasthan: ₹ 1,87,322 crore; Madhya Pradesh: ₹ 1,62,385 crore; Kerala: ₹ 1,52,198 crore; Telangana: ₹ 1,44,346 crore; Gujarat: ₹ 1,44,330 crore; Punjab: ₹ 1,04,353 crore. Apart from Sule and Beniwal, the questions were put up by NCP-SP MPs from Maharashtra: Bhaskar Murlidhar Bhagare, Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke, Mohite Patil Dhairyasheel Rajsinh, Dr Amol Ramsing Kolhe, and Bajrang Manohar Sonwane, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackrey) MP from Maharashtra Sanjay Dina Patil, and Congress MP, Prof Varsha Eknath Gaikwad, also from Maharashtra. The MPs had also asked 'whether there is any correlation found between outstanding agricultural loans and incidence of farmer suicides in states like Maharashtra and if so, the data available with the Government on such cases during the last five years.' The government said that the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) publication 'Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India' is available till the year 2022 but that it does not specify separate reasons for farmer suicides. The MPs had also asked 'whether any specific categories of farmers marginal, small, tenant, SC/ST are more burdened with outstanding loans and if so, the details thereof' to which the government said that 'NABARD All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey (NAFIS) for the period of 2021-2022 indicates a generally positive relationship between landholding size and household indebtedness, with the proportion of indebted households increasing as land size increases, up to 1 hectare. Beyond this threshold, a marginal decline in the incidence of indebtedness is observed among households with larger landholdings.' Disclaimer: Mint has a tie-up with fintechs for providing credit, you will need to share your information if you apply. These tie-ups do not influence our editorial content. This article only intends to educate and spread awareness about credit needs like loans, credit cards and credit score. Mint does not promote or encourage taking credit as it comes with a set of risks such as high interest rates, hidden charges, etc. We advise investors to discuss with certified experts before taking any credit.
