Mon Mar 03 11:04:36 UTC 2025: ## Maharashtra Minister’s Fate Pending Court Ruling

**Mumbai, March 3, 2025** – The future of Maharashtra’s Agriculture Minister, Manikrao Kokate, hangs in the balance following his conviction last month on cheating charges. Kokate, a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA, was sentenced to two years in prison by a Nashik Magistrate’s court for submitting fraudulent documents to obtain government-subsidized housing. While a sessions court temporarily suspended the sentence, a final decision on the stay is expected on March 5th.

The issue was raised in the Maharashtra State Legislature’s Budget session on Monday by the Leader of Opposition, Ambadas Danve, who questioned the government’s stance on Kokate’s continued position as Minister. While Council Chairman Ram Shinde suggested the matter belonged to the lower house, Opposition members countered that a Minister’s responsibilities extend to both houses.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded that the court proceedings are concluded, awaiting only the final order. He stated that the legislature or the Governor will decide Kokate’s fate after the court’s ruling. Fadnavis also criticized the Opposition’s disruption of the session’s opening, which included a moment of silence to honor the late former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The session began with tributes to Singh, who passed away last December.

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