Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Kokate's Rummy Row: Viral Video Sparks Outrage, Sule Seeks Ouster, Raut Says Amit Shah Wants Him Out

Maharashtra’s Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate has once again landed in controversy after a video allegedly showing him playing the online card game Rummy during a live Legislative Council session went viral on social media. The video was posted by NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Rohit Pawar on platform X, sparking widespread criticism and raising serious questions about ministerial conduct in the legislature.

In the video, Kokate appears to be playing the mobile game on his phone while the Assembly proceedings were underway. Rohit Pawar, in a scathing social media post, sarcastically remarked, “Junglee Rummy pe aao na Maharaj,” mocking the minister’s apparent lack of seriousness towards farmers’ issues. He further alleged that the state’s ruling coalition, including Kokate's NCP faction aligned with the BJP, is unable to take independent decisions regarding agriculture or farmer welfare without BJP approval.

Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate's video of him playing Junglee Rummy, an online card game, on his phone in the Legislative Assembly proves how the BJP led state government is 'Gambling' with the lives of farmers.
Farmers are committing suicide due to lack of… pic.twitter.com/9WZpwtvSsG

— Clyde Crasto (@Clyde_Crasto) July 20, 2025

Taking aim at the state government’s inaction on critical issues like crop insurance, loan waivers, and falling market prices for agricultural produce, Pawar said: “Eight farmers are dying by suicide every day in Maharashtra. Despite this, ministers are busy playing games in the Assembly instead of addressing farmers' concerns. The government is completely lost, and its priorities are shameful.”

He added, “Kabhi garib kisanon ki kheti par bhi aao na Maharaj” (Do visit the farmlands of poor farmers someday, Maharaj) — a direct taunt to Kokate’s focus, or lack thereof, on real issues affecting the agrarian community.

Kokate’s Defense

Responding to the criticism, Minister Kokate denied the allegations and claimed that the video was misinterpreted. He explained that he was watching the proceedings of the other House on YouTube when an advertisement for a Rummy game popped up.

“I was in the Upper House and trying to see what was happening in the Lower House through YouTube. While doing so, a Junglee Rummy ad appeared. It took me 2-3 seconds to skip it. Haven’t you ever got such ads?” Kokate retorted.

VIDEO | Here's what Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate said on allegations of playing a game during the assembly session.

"It is a solitaire game, not Rummy. Any of my colleagues must have downloaded it. I was trying to see what was happening in the lower house. I… pic.twitter.com/Prfu4OgzOA

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 20, 2025

He also accused opponents of selectively clipping the video to defame him and ignoring his genuine efforts toward addressing farmer issues.

“I have done nothing wrong. I was not playing any game. They just want to malign me. What about all the work I’ve done for farmers? Why doesn’t anyone speak about that?” he said.

Kokate maintained that he works transparently and does not engage in such frivolous activities during official duties.

“Why would I play Rummy inside the Assembly?” he asked.

Supriya Sule Demands Resignation

Amid growing outrage, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule has demanded Kokate’s resignation, calling his behavior “highly insensitive towards the plight of farmers.”

VIDEO | "It is shameful that the agriculture minister (Manikrao Kokate) is busy gaming online while farmers are committing suicide. Manikrao Kokate must resign," says NCP (SP) Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule), condemning a purported video of the Maharashtra minister playing a game on… pic.twitter.com/38cSrdcewS

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 20, 2025

“This is not just about optics. It shows the level of seriousness—or the lack of it—when it comes to solving real agricultural issues in the state,” she said.

Support from BJP MLA and Shinde Camp

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Parinay Fuke came to Kokate’s defense, dismissing the video as doctored. Fuke claimed that he was seated right behind Kokate and never saw him playing any game.

“Many members, including me, use phones during sessions for information or communication. I believe Kokate was doing the same. This looks like a manipulated video using AI to falsely link him with a Rummy game,” Fuke stated.

Minister and Shinde faction leader Pratap Sarnaik also appeared to back Kokate, downplaying the incident.

“Actors like Aamir Khan and Salman Khan also play Rummy. It’s shown on TV all the time,” Sarnaik said, framing Kokate’s actions in a lighter context.

Sanjay Raut: Amit Shah Wants Kokate Out

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has made a sensational claim, stating that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has decided to remove four ministers from the Maharashtra cabinet — and Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate is reportedly among them.

'It Is Not A Big Political Issue': Sanjay Nirupam On Maharashtra Minister Manikrao Kokate Playing Rummy In Assembly

Speaking to the media, Raut said:

“As per the information I have, Amit Shah has proposed the removal of four ministers, and Manikrao Kokate’s name is on that list. Shah has advised the Chief Minister to drop four to five ministers from the cabinet, and this includes names from the Eknath Shinde faction as well. I have concrete information that the Agriculture Minister's name is included among the NCP (Ajit Pawar group) ministers likely to be dropped.”