Convicted Maharashtra Minister Manikrao Kokate Stripped of Portfolios; Hospitalized

• Maharashtra Minister Manikrao Kokate has been stripped of his portfolios (Sports and Youth Welfare, Minority Development, Aukaf).
• The decision follows his conviction in a 1995 cheating and forgery case, resulting in a two-year jail term.
• Governor Acharya Devvrat reassigned Kokate's ministries to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
• Kokate, an NCP MLA, is now a minister without portfolio and has been admitted to Lilavati Hospital ICU for chest pain.
• A Nashik court upheld his conviction and issued an arrest warrant after dismissing his appeal.

Why It Matters: Maharashtra Minister Manikrao Kokate stripped of portfolios after conviction, hospitalized.