A late-night reshuffle of portfolios by Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Thursday led to former agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate becoming Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare, while Dattatray Bharane became Minister of Agriculture.
The unexpected portfolio reshuffle took place after the Opposition began gunning for Manikrao Kokate who was caught playing an online rummy game in the legislative assembly a few days ago.
Interacting with media persons on Friday here, newly-appointed Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare Manikrao Kokate was all smiling and happy as he said, “I am very happy to accept the decision. Also, if Dattatreya Bharne needs any help with his agriculture portfolio, I too will definitely help him. If I need his help with the sports portfolio, I will take it”.
However, Opposition parties have criticised Pawar killing two birds with one stone, especially since it was well known that his trusted confidante Dattatray Bharane was unhappy with the sports and youth welfare portfolio. Bharane had also revealed his dissatisfaction after portfolio allocation.
Sharad Pawar-led NCP MP Supriya Sule attacked the deputy CM for his decision to make Kokate the Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare. “How sensitive will Manikrao Kokate, who was caught playing rummy while sitting in the legislature? What is more devastating is the ruling alliance protecting Kokate by merely changing his porfolikko. The chief minister of the state should actually feel sorry that a person who is not even aware of his position and responsibility is part of his cabinet”|.
“Kokate has been rewarded with the portfolio for playing rummy. The chief minister himself should take the initiative to felicitate ministers who have tarnished the reputation of the Maharashtra government by calling it a ‘beggar’. The decision to give Kokate the post of Sports and Youth Welfare as well as Minority Affairs as a reward for playing rummy in the legislature is truly incomprehensible. This has led to a breakdown in the priorities of this government,” Supriya Sule said.
“The young generation of the state is getting ruined by online rummy and there is a demand to ban it. So there cannot be a more cruel joke than giving important portfolios like Sports and Youth Welfare to Manikrao Kokate as a reward for playing rummy in the legislature. I request the Chief Minister to please make Manikrao Kokate resign and work to preserve the reputation of the state,” Supriya Sule said.