Nagpur: Senior NCP (Ajit) leader Dharmaraobaba Atram ruled out immediate induction into the Maharashtra state cabinet, even if party colleague Manikrao Kokate were to resign due to his deepening legal troubles. On Wednesday, a Nashik court issued arrest warrant against Kokate, something which could threaten his legislature membership. This speculation has already led to rumours floating on who will replace Kokate in the cabinet, if the latter does resign. Former cabinet minister Atram has been waiting in the wings since last year’s polls, but he is being cautious despite the possible vacancy in the state cabinet. Speaking to TOI, Atram said, “I will become a minister in 2027. This is because I was promised that 2.5 years after elections (2024), I will get a chance. So I don’t think that even if someone goes now, I will get the call.”A Nashik sessions court upheld Kokate’s two-year jail sentence in a decades-old fraud case involving the acquisition of flats under the 10% economically weaker section (EWS) quota and issued an arrest warrant. Opposition parties have demanded Kokate’s immediate resignation and disqualification from the legislature, but party insiders said there is no clarity yet on his impending exit.Atram said he is focusing on organisational work and preparing for future electoral battles for the party. Atram said, “We fought on all seats in Aheri without any alliance in the recently-held nagar parishad and panchayat polls. About zilla parishad polls, a call will be taken after dates are announced.”The veteran leader has lately been out of the inner circle of party supremo Ajit Pawar. When the Mahayuti came to power, both Atram and Chhagan Bhujbal were not considered for a cabinet post. But Bhujbal was later inducted in the cabinet, leaving Atram out. This is said to be one of the reasons why the senior Gadchiroli politician was unhappy initially, but he claims that a cabinet berth has been promised to him in the second half of the govt’s tenure.
