Mumbai, 01 Aug (HS): Agriculture Manikrao Kokate,

who was in controversy over playing Rummy in the Vidhan Bhavan, has been shifted

and has been made the Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports. His ministry has

been handed over to Datta Bharne who was handling the Youth Affairs and Sports

Ministry.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told

the media on Friday that the changes have been made following allegations

against Kokate. There is no other change in the ministry.

NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader Rohit Pawar made a video viral

showing Kokate playing Rummy in the Assembly House. The NCP and UBT (Shiv Sena)

demanded Kokate’s resignation on the issue. Following a meeting of Deputy Chief

Minister SAjit Pawar, NCP leader Sunil Tatkare, with Fadnavis, the decision to remove

Kokate as Agriculture Minister was taken.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar