In a surprising turn of events during the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Maharashtra legislature, NCP Minister Manikrao Kokate was accused of playing an online rummy game while proceedings were underway in the Legislative Council. According to The Times of India, the controversy erupted after visuals of the minister looking at his phone during the session went viral, triggering public outrage and political backlash.
Caught in the Act: Rummy in the House?
The incident unfolded when BJP MLCs alleged that Manikrao Kokate, a senior leader of the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party and then Minister of State for Agriculture, was spotted playing a card game on his mobile phone. The visuals, captured from the live feed of the Council session, quickly circulated across social media platforms.
The BJP, led by MLC Pravin Darekar and others, took serious objection to the act. They demanded Kokate’s resignation, citing the incident as disrespectful to the sanctity of the House. “What message does this send to the people of Maharashtra? A minister playing rummy while the House discusses important issues is utterly shameful,” said Darekar.
Manikrao Kokate’s Clarification
Kokate, for his part, denied playing the game deliberately. He claimed that a notification had popped up on his screen and he accidentally opened the app. “I did not play any game intentionally. This is being blown out of proportion,” he said, calling the allegations politically motivated.
However, his explanation failed to douse the flames. The pressure continued to mount, both from opposition benches and on social media, prompting the Maharashtra government to act swiftly.
Agriculture Portfolio Withdrawn
In a late-night development, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s office announced a reshuffle. Manikrao Kokate was stripped of his Agriculture portfolio, which has now been handed over to Revenue Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil. Kokate continues to hold other responsibilities, including those related to tribal development and other departments.
Though the government did not officially cite the online game incident as the reason for the change, the timing leaves little room for doubt.
Not Just a Game – A Political Message
This is not the first time Indian lawmakers have been caught in awkward moments during legislative sessions, but rarely has an incident led to such immediate consequences. Kokate’s removal from the agriculture department, a crucial portfolio in a state with a massive farming population, is being viewed as a message to other ministers about accountability and conduct.
Agriculture remains a politically sensitive subject in Maharashtra, and mishandling of the ministry be it through policy or behaviour, can have significant electoral ramifications. The swift removal appears to be damage control by the state government to protect its image.
Opposition Milks the Moment
Opposition leaders and social media users were quick to pounce on the controversy, calling it the “Rummygate” of Maharashtra. Several hashtags mocking the minister trended online, with memes and satirical takes flooding X (formerly Twitter).
The incident has also reignited the debate on whether mobile phones should be permitted inside the legislative chambers during sessions. Many are now calling for stricter protocols and limited use of personal devices to prevent similar incidents in the future.
A Wake-Up Call for Elected Representatives?
While Kokate may not have expected the game app to cost him a ministry, the incident serves as a reminder of the expectations people have from public representatives. Even a moment of inattention—especially during an official session—is enough to erode public trust and trigger political consequences.Whether the act was innocent or careless, the political fallout was swift and decisive. For Manikrao Kokate, a casual glance at his phone led to a very real career setback, underscoring that in politics today, nothing stays under the radar for long.
Photo Credit: India Today
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