Senior Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has stated that the ruling Mahayuti coalition government bears no connection to the recent conviction of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislator Manikrao Kokate in a decades-old housing quota case. The statement aims to politically insulate the current state administration from the legal troubles of the MLA.
Minister Clarifies Government's Stance
Addressing media representatives in Pune on Thursday, Cabinet Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule emphasized the timeline of the case. He clarified that the incident for which Kokate was convicted occurred back in 1995, long before the formation of the present Mahayuti government. Bawankule argued that it would be incorrect to associate the ruling alliance with the irregularities in question.
"The court's verdict has been delivered now, but the incident did not take place after the Mahayuti government was formed," Bawankule told reporters. He stressed, "It was an old case and happened during the tenure of a different government. Therefore, one cannot allege that Kokate committed any irregularities during the Mahayuti government's tenure."
Details of the Conviction and Appeal
The case centers on allegations that Manikrao Kokate and his brother secured two flats under the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) quota in 1995 through improper means. A sessions court recently found them guilty and sentenced both to undergo two years of rigorous imprisonment.
Following the conviction, Kokate has moved to a higher judicial authority seeking relief. The NCP MLA has filed an appeal in the Bombay High Court to challenge the sessions court's verdict and sentence.
Sympathy from a BJP Colleague
In a related development, another senior minister from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is a key constituent of the Mahayuti alliance, expressed a personal opinion on the matter. Cabinet Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, speaking to reporters in Ahilyanagar, commented on the verdict.
While acknowledging the sanctity of the judicial process, Vikhe Patil hinted at a sense of grievance. "It is not appropriate to comment on the court's judgment," he stated, but added, "Personally, I feel an injustice has been done to Kokate." This remark highlights the political and personal complexities surrounding the case, even as the coalition government officially distances itself from it.
The unfolding situation puts the spotlight on the legal challenges faced by sitting legislators and the political narratives that emerge in their wake. The High Court's decision on Kokate's appeal will be the next critical juncture in this case.
