Mumbai: In a significant political development, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader and MLA Jitendra Awhad has urged Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar to disqualify state Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate from his legislative post. This comes after a Nashik court sentenced Kokate to two years in prison for his involvement in a 1995 cheating case related to fraudulent acquisition of government flats.
The case dates back nearly three decades when Kokate was accused of submitting fake documents to secure flats under the government’s Low Income Group (LIG) housing quota. On Thursday, the Nashik court found him guilty and imposed a two-year jail term along with a fine. Kokate, who currently holds the agriculture portfolio in the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government, has denied any wrongdoing and is expected to appeal the verdict.
In his letter to Speaker Narwekar, Awhad emphasized that Kokate’s conviction disqualifies him from continuing as an MLA under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The Act mandates that any legislator sentenced to imprisonment for two years or more stands disqualified from the date of conviction. Awhad also highlighted the moral responsibility of public representatives, stating that Kokate’s continuation in office would set a wrong precedent.
The demand for Kokate’s disqualification has sparked a political debate in Maharashtra, with opposition parties calling for his immediate resignation. Meanwhile, the ruling coalition has remained tight-lipped, awaiting the outcome of Kokate’s appeal.
This case adds to the growing list of legal troubles faced by politicians in Maharashtra, raising questions about accountability and transparency in governance. As the controversy unfolds, all eyes are on the Assembly Speaker’s next move, which could have far-reaching implications for the state’s political landscape.
Source: Web Team, C6N
