Overview

• Kokate has formally demanded an unconditional written apology from Rohit Pawar within eight days and warned of civil and criminal proceedings if he does not comply.
• Rohit Pawar confirmed receiving the notice, dismissed it as funny in a post on X, and said he has evidence to prove Kokate was playing cards during the Council session.
• The controversy began after a video circulated showing Kokate on his phone in the Legislative Council, following which he lost the Agriculture Ministry and was reassigned to Sports, Youth Welfare, Minority Affairs and Auqaf.
• NCP minister Dattatraya Bharne was appointed to head the Agriculture Department after the portfolio change.
• Kokate has denied playing online rummy, claiming an advertisement or video game appeared on his phone and raising privacy concerns about the filming of the clip.