Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate has stirred political controversy after a video surfaced showing him allegedly playing Junglee Rummy—an online card game—on his phone during a legislative assembly session. The footage, shared by NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar, drew sharp criticism from Opposition leaders who slammed the minister for his lack of seriousness amid the ongoing farm crisis in the state. Pawar accused Kokate of neglecting pressing agricultural issues, pointing out that “every day eight farmers are ending their lives in Maharashtra,” while the state’s agriculture minister “has time to play games in the Assembly.”

Reactions from across the political spectrum poured in, with Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP) members calling the act a “mockery of democracy.” BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar admitted that no law currently allows penal action against Kokate for his behavior inside the legislature, though he claimed to have previously suggested a bill to prevent such conduct. Critics emphasized that Kokate has consistently evaded accountability, with Shiv Sena’s Kishori Pednekar stating, “This is not the first time he’s behaved irresponsibly. It’s an insult to the legislature and the people.”

NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad went further, saying that Kokate “hasn’t answered a single question in the House” and that his online gaming indulgence was symbolic of a wider disregard for governance. Drawing parallels to Karnataka, where MLAs caught misusing phones were suspended, Awhad urged Deputy CM Ajit Pawar to take action. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut also claimed that Kokate is among the four ministers Union Home Minister Amit Shah wants removed. The incident has reignited debates on digital conduct in legislative spaces and the ethical standards expected of public representatives.