Updated On: 29 July, 2025 05:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
He previously stirred backlash by accusing farmers of misusing subsidies, referring to them as beggars, and describing his agriculture ministry as “lord of barren acres"

Minister of Agriculture, Maharashtra, Manikrao Kokate File pic.
Amid ongoing speculation over his future in the Maharashtra cabinet, Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate met Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar on Tuesday.
Sources indicated that Pawar reprimanded Kokate for his repeated controversial statements but did not offer any assurances about his continuation in the cabinet, reported PTI.
During the meeting, Kokate reportedly expressed remorse for his recent remarks about farmers, which had caused embarrassment for both the Mahayuti government and the Nationalist Congress Party. Pawar is said to have conveyed his displeasure clearly.