Ajit’s dilemma: Should minister Kokate resign? | Mumbai News

Mumbai: NCP chief Ajit Pawar is faced with a dilemma on the issue of demanding the resignation of agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate for playing rummy in the legislature. Political observers said the NCP is dragging its feet because if Kokate goes, the opposition will claim a moral victory and credit will accrue to MLA Rohit Pawar of NCP (SP) who first released the rummy video.The deputy CM is not keen to give his nephew the satisfaction of gloating over the exit of a minister belonging to the rival NCP faction. Ajit is also said to be drawing parallels with Shiv Sena where his counterpart Eknath Shinde is silent over the shenanigans of ministers embroiled in controversies, especially Yogesh Kadam and Sanjay Shirsat.Political observers said NCP has already let go of one minister – Dhananjay Munde – who had to resign in March over allegations linking his close associate, Walmik Karad, to the murder of Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. If Kokate too resigns, observers said it will be seen as another political blow, further damaging NCP’s image at a time when Sena continues to ignore public opinion.Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis who has expressed displeasure at Kokate’s conduct has left it to Ajit Pawar to take a call on his ouster from the cabinet or to swap his portfolio with another minister. In case a swap takes place, it is said Makarand Patil who currently manages Relief and Rehabilitation will be given charge of agriculture.“The CM and the party has left the decision to NCP chief Ajit Pawar. The onus is on Pawar to take a call. However, there may be some hesitation because if Kokate steps down the credit will go to Rohit Pawar, and also there is a question on why only NCP ministers are resigning on moral grounds and not Shinde’s ministers,” a political observer said. This is not the first time Kokate has courted controversy. His statements on aid given to farmers were seen as politically incorrect. He was also convicted on charges of forging documents to get flats meant for low-income groups, an order which was stayed later by a higher court.Last week, Ajit Pawar said he will meet Kokate on Monday or Tuesday and then make a decision. Ajit Pawar said he has told Kokate a few times to be more discreet.