CM and Tatkare rap Kokate for 'playing rummy' in council

MUMBAI: Two days after a video of him playing a card game on his mobile phone in the legislative council went viral, agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate was rebuked by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Maharashtra NCP president Sunil Tatkare. Both said the incident was not something to be proud of.

- Faisal Malik

Although Kokate, a five-term NCP MLA, claimed that he was merely trying to view the assembly proceedings on YouTube when a card game ad appeared on his screen, he has been facing severe criticism from all quarters. He is expected to speak on the issue on Tuesday morning.

Fadnavis, when asked for a comment, said, “It was absolutely wrong. Ministers are expected to take legislative business very seriously even if their business is not on the agenda. Members do read documents and news but the video of Kokate playing rummy was inappropriate. Even though he tried to clarify that the rummy game popped up on his mobile screen, what happened was indecorous.”