• Source:JND
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Rummy In Assembly Row: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis carried out a late-night reshuffle in his Cabinet on Thursday, in which NCP leader Manikrao Kokate was shifted from the Agriculture Ministry To The Sports and Youth Welfare Department, following 'rummy in Assembly' row. The Current Sports Minister, Dattatrey Bharne, replaced Kokate, which means the duo swapped their respective ministries. Now, Bharne has become the new Maharashtra Agriculture Minister.

A notification was issued by the General Administration Department (GAD). The GAD stated that Kokate will also take charge of the Minority Development and Auqaf Departments.

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What Is Rummy Game Row?

Kokate and Bharne are from Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar-led NCP. Bharne is an MLA from Indapur in Pune district, while his party colleague Kokate represents Sinnar constituency in Nashik district. Kokate was caught in controversy after he was spotted playing an online game on his phone during an assembly session. NCP (SP) leaders Rohit Pawar and Jitendra Awhad shared a video clip on social media in which Kokate is seen playing an online rummy game on a mobile phone while sitting in the legislative council during the monsoon session.

NCP (SP) leader Clyde Crasto slammed Kokate, saying, "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 the lack of support from the government and those who are their representatives; instead of voicing their plight in the august house, are busy playing games. Manikrao Kokate and BJP are 'Rubbing Salt in the Wounds' of the farmers of Maharashtra. Shameful!!!"

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This is not the first time that the NCP leader landed in controversy. Earlier, he had also courted controversy for allegedly equating farmers with beggars a few months ago.

Earlier this year, Dhananjay Munde, another NCP leader, had to resign from the Mahayuti government after his close aide Walmik Karad was named as the prime accused in the Santosh Deshmukh murder case.

(With PTI inputs)