Manikrao Kokate Removed From Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Post Amid Row Over Card Game Video; Dutta Bharne Takes Over

Mumbai: After mounting pressure from the opposition, the state government eventually shuffled the departments of two NCP ministers late Thursday night.

The portfolio of Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate has been reassigned to Sports and Youth Development Minister Dutta Bharne. Bharne is considered one of the close aides of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The General Administration Department issued a circular late Thursday night announcing the changes in the departments of Kokate and Bharne.

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

The circular was signed by Manisha Verma, Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration Department. The ruling Mahayuti alliance has opted for a facesaving reshuffle instead of accepting the opposition’s demands for Kokate’s resignation.

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This decision is seen as a compromise to contain the controversy while addressing public outrage over Kokate’s conduct and his controversial remarks about farmers.