Maharashtra Govt Faces Turmoil as Two NCP Ministers Land in Legal Trouble

The Mahayuti government in Maharashtra, led by CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, is facing mounting challenges as two ministers from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) find themselves embroiled in serious legal controversies.

First, Minister Dhananjay Munde remains under the scanner for his alleged connection to the murder of a sarpanch in Beed district, with one of his close aides already arrested in the case. Just as the political storm over Munde was yet to settle, another major setback hit Ajit Pawar’s NCP camp—Agriculture Minister and Sinnar MLA Manikrao Kokate was convicted in a 30-year-old housing fraud case by a Nashik court on Thursday.

Kokate has been sentenced to two years in jail, which puts his ministerial berth and Assembly membership at risk. As per legal provisions, any elected representative sentenced to two years or more stands to lose their position unless the conviction is overturned by a higher court.

Political Fallout & Opposition’s Demand

With two of Ajit Pawar’s ministers now mired in controversy, the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has intensified its attack on the government. Calling for their immediate removal, Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal said, “There is no justification for retaining tainted ministers in the Cabinet. Both must resign immediately.”

A senior BJP leader, speaking anonymously, admitted that the situation has put the ruling coalition in a fix. “This doesn’t reflect well on the government’s image. Any decision on Kokate will have to be taken after consulting our alliance partners,” the leader said.

Meanwhile, legal experts have weighed in on Kokate’s fate, stating that unless he obtains a stay on his conviction from a higher court, he could lose his Assembly seat.

Kokate’s Controversial Political Journey

A five-time MLA, Manikrao Kokate has been a political turncoat, switching between multiple parties over the years. Starting his career with Congress in the 1990s, he later joined Sharad Pawar’s NCP but jumped to Shiv Sena in 1999. After multiple switches between Congress, BJP, and NCP, he eventually sided with Ajit Pawar’s faction in 2023.

Apart from his fraud conviction, Kokate recently sparked controversy with his remarks on farmers, stating that “even beggars refuse a rupee, but we are offering crop insurance, and yet there are irregularities.” His statement was widely criticized as being insensitive toward farmers struggling with agrarian distress.

Govt Under Pressure Ahead of Budget Session

With the Budget session of the state Assembly approaching, the Mahayuti government finds itself cornered. The pressure is now on CM Shinde, Deputy CM Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar to decide whether they will act against the ministers or defend them.

While Kokate has secured bail and plans to challenge his conviction, the political damage has already been done. How the government handles this crisis will be a key test of its credibility and stability ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.