After NCP youth wing chief Suraj Chavan and 11 of the unit’s members were booked for beating up Chhava Sanghatna activists in Latur, Deputy Chief Minister and party’s national president Ajit Pawar asked him to quit his post. Chavan was summoned to Mumbai and pulled up by the NCP chief “for exceeding his brief and indulging in activity which harmed the party’s image”.
Though he has not shown the same kind of alacrity in the case of Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate, NCP state president Sunil Tatkare made it clear that the party leadership has taken serious note of his behaviour.
“Our party leadership has taken serious note of the minister’s behaviour,” Tatkare told The Indian Express on Monday evening.
When asked whether Ajit Pawar will ask Kokate to resign, Tatkare said he wouldn’t like to make any comment. “I have already said our party leadership has taken serious note of Kokate’s behaviour in the House,” he said.
Both Kokate and Chavan’s behaviour has caused embarrassment to the NCP. So much so that when Ajit Pawar was in Pune on Sunday, he spoke at length about different issues including the Hinjewadi problems. But when reporters sought a reply from him on Kokate case, Ajit Pawar quickly made a gateway.
However, in Chavan’s case, Ajit Pawar, wasted no time in clarifying that the party does not believe in any kind of violence and rude behaviour. He condemned the behaviour of NCP workers in strong words.
NCP sources said in Chavan’s case, the party acted quickly because there was no need for him to beat up the Chhava Sanghatna activists. “The incident has tarnished the image of NCP. Chhava Sanghatna activists did not indulge in any kind of violence. They might have used objectionable language but why did Chavan and his supporters gets physical? The party’s image has taken a beating,” an NCP leader said.
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In Kokate’s case, NCP leaders said, Ajit Pawar has shown lot of patience. “Kokate has caused the party embarrassment on several occasions. He has been convicted in a criminal case. He was sentenced to two years in jail in a document forgery and fraud case. Then he compared farmers to beggars. He had said that even a beggar doesn’t take one rupee, but the government offers farmers crop insurance for Re one. Subsequently, he alleged that farmers take advantage of loan waivers by spending money on personal celebrations… I think the party’s cup of woes relating to Kokate and his behaviour is overflowing now. The party will ask him to resign in next two days after consulting BJP,” said another NCP leader.
Speaking in Nashik, senior NCP leader and Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said, “I am not aware of what orders Ajit Pawar has given regarding Kokate. As far as playing cards in the House is concerned, I don’t think that was an appropriate act.”
Shiv Sena Minister Pratap Sarnaik however backed Kokate. “I think everyone plays Rummy these days. Even Aamir Khan and Shahrukh play Rummy. It is shown on television,” he said.
