Maharashtra’s agriculture minister and NCP leader Manikrao Kokate sparked fresh controversy on Sunday after a video of him appearing to play an online card game on his mobile phone during a legislative council session went viral. Kokate defended himself, claiming he was only trying to watch the assembly proceedings on YouTube when an ad for a card game appeared, which he skipped almost immediately.

The incident was highlighted by NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, who posted the clip on social media along with a sharp critique. Pawar pointed out that around eight farmers die by suicide every day and accused the NCP of being unable to take independent decisions without BJP’s approval. “While farmers struggle for loan waivers and insurance, the agriculture minister passes time playing rummy,” Pawar said.

Opposition parties quickly seized the opportunity to attack Kokate and the ruling Mahayuti government. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut called out the government’s “insensitive” attitude, claiming Union Home Minister Amit Shah was planning to drop Kokate from the cabinet. Raut said the minister should be addressing the concerns of farmers, especially those marching from Latur to Mumbai, instead of engaging with games on his phone. He also suggested that four ministers were set to be removed from the state cabinet, with a fifth under scrutiny.

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar joined in, slamming the government and urging farmers to hold the Mahayuti alliance accountable. “While farmers continue to take their own lives, the agriculture minister is busy with rummy. This deceitful government cares nothing for farmers,” he said.

Transport minister and Shiv Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik tried to defend Kokate, drawing a comparison by saying that even celebrities like Salman Khan and Aamir Khan play rummy.

In his defence, Kokate claimed that a brief online ad was misinterpreted and deliberately shared to malign him. “The house was adjourned and I opened YouTube to check assembly updates. A Junglee Rummy ad appeared briefly, which I skipped. But someone filmed it during that moment. Does Rohit Pawar not receive ads on his phone? I am fully committed to my work for farmers,” he said.

Kokate has previously courted controversy. In January 2025, he admitted that every government scheme involved 3% to 4% corruption. In April, he angered many by claiming that farmers intentionally default on crop loans to avail loan waivers, and then spend the savings on lavish ceremonies like weddings and engagements.