The state government faced mounting pressure after a video surfaced showing Kokate allegedly playing an online rummy card game during a legislative session. Political opponents, farmer groups and civic bodies condemned the incident, calling it inappropriate amid widespread distress in the farm sector. The uproar intensified when opposition leader Rohit Pawar asserted that Kokate had played the game for 18‑22 minutes, contradicting his own claim of just 42 seconds
The reshuffle also addresses Kokate’s earlier contentious remarks comparing the government to “beggars” in discussions of crop insurance. Critics, including the Chief Minister, described the comments as insensitive and damaging to the state government’s image
The proposal for portfolio change was reportedly put forth by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, leader of Kokate’s faction in the Nationalist Congress Party, and conveyed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The General Administration Department formalised the decision through an official notification signed by Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Verma
Kokate, representing the Sinnar constituency in Nashik and part of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction, retains his cabinet position but is now distanced from the politically sensitive agriculture department. Bharne, MLA from Indapur in Pune district, reclaims the agriculture portfolio while relinquishing his duties in sports and youth welfare
Opposition parties, including Shiv Sena and NCP, criticised the decision as insufficient. The Shiv Sena labelled Kokate a reckless minister and demanded his full resignation, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi continued to call for stronger accountability
Kokate’s defences included denial of the allegations. He insisted he was not playing rummy but was attempting to close a pop-up advertisement on his phone, and said he would resign “in a second” if proved otherwise Earlier this year, he faced a conviction in a document forgery case—later stayed by the courts—and drew criticism for controversial statements on farmers
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who reproached Kokate for such remarks, used a cabinet meeting earlier in the week to admonish all ministers, warning them that personal conduct must not embarrass the government
The shift appears designed to strike a political balance that preserves Kokate’s ministerial role while mitigating further damage to the government’s standing. Bharne’s appointment aims to reassure agricultural stakeholders, restoring public confidence by placing a minister perceived as more stable at the helm of the agriculture department