Nashik, 22 July (HS): Maharashtra Agriculture

Minister Manikrao Kokate refused to tender his resignation, saying that nothing

worth resigning for has happened.

Kokate addressed a press conference on Tuesday and

alleged that he is being framed in false cases. He claimed that he was not

playing Rummy in the Assembly House.

Kokate was targeted by the opposition members as a

video surfaced showing him playing cards when the proceedings in the House were

in progress. The opposition demanded his removal from the ministry.

Kokate said that those who defamed him will be

prosecuted. His rivals are using media to defame him without substantial

evidence. Kokate said he was only checking the messages and deleting unwanted

advertisements. He himself demanded a detailed enquiry into the incident.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar