Maharashtra Sports Minister Resigns Following Court Conviction in Housing Scam

Maharashtra Sports Minister and NCP leader Manikrao Kokate resigned from his post on Wednesday, hours after a Nashik sessions court upheld his conviction in a nearly three-decade-old housing scam case. The development has triggered political churn within the ruling Mahayuti alliance and intensified pressure on Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

The sessions court confirmed the two-year prison sentence earlier awarded to Kokate in connection with a 1995 case involving the alleged misuse of a 10 per cent quota reserved for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) in a housing scheme. Following the court’s decision, Kokate stepped down from the ministry, which has now been placed under the charge of Ajit Pawar.

Kokate and his brother, Vijay Kokate, were found guilty of offences including cheating and forgery. The court’s ruling upheld the magistrate’s earlier verdict, strengthening the legal case against the former minister. The 1995 housing scam involved the misuse of reservations meant for economically weaker sections, which led to widespread public outrage and multiple legal battles over the years.

With the sentence standing at two years, Kokate now faces the possibility of immediate disqualification from the Maharashtra legislature, unless the conviction is stayed by a higher court, as mandated under election law. The episode has further sharpened focus on accountability within the state’s ruling coalition. Political analysts and opposition parties are closely watching the fallout, as the resignation could have broader implications for the stability of the Mahayuti alliance.

The ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising the NCP, Congress, and others, has been under scrutiny for various governance issues. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who is also the leader of the NCP, now faces the challenge of managing the political fallout and maintaining coalition unity. The case has also raised questions about the transparency and integrity of public officials, especially in matters involving the allocation of resources meant for the economically weaker sections of society.

The legal and political ramifications of Kokate’s conviction are likely to be a significant topic of discussion in the coming weeks. The opposition is expected to use this opportunity to challenge the credibility of the ruling alliance and push for greater accountability in governance. Meanwhile, supporters of Kokate are hopeful that a higher court will stay the conviction, allowing him to continue his political career.

The Maharashtra government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, will need to address the immediate administrative challenges and ensure that the Sports Ministry functions smoothly under the interim leadership of Ajit Pawar. The government’s response to this crisis will be closely monitored by the public and political observers alike.