A major and shocking news has emerged from the state's politics. The state's Sports and Youth Welfare Minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Manikrao Kokate has faced a major setback in the housing scam case. The Nashik Sessions Court has issued an arrest warrant against Kokate, significantly increasing his troubles. Therefore, Kokate is likely to be arrested at any moment, and both his ministerial position and MLA status are in jeopardy.
According to the Representation of the People Act, if a representative is sentenced to two years or more, they are immediately disqualified. Manikrao Kokate has already been sentenced to two years. Therefore, he is not eligible to remain in the ministerial position, and there is a possibility that his MLA status may also be revoked. According to experts, only if the High Court stays his sentence can Kokate's MLA status be saved. Otherwise, if the sentence remains, he will not be able to contest elections for the next six years after completing the sentence.
Why compare with the Dhananjay Munde case?
A few months ago, former minister Dhananjay Munde had to resign from his ministerial position due to ethical reasons. However, his legislative membership remained intact because no direct crime was proven against Munde, nor was he convicted by the court. But the Kokate case is different. Kokate has been convicted and sentenced by the court. Therefore, the provisions of the Representation of the People Act directly apply, putting his legislative membership at risk.
Political circles are focused on the next hearing
The arrest warrant against Manikrao Kokate, the possibility of disqualification from the assembly, and the future in the cabinet have caused a major stir in the state's politics. Now, the High Court's decision and the next hearing will determine the direction of Kokate's political future.