The Aryavarth Express
Mumbai (Maharashtra):
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former Maharashtra minister Manikrao Kokate is recovering well after undergoing a successful coronary angioplasty at Lilavati Hospital, doctors said on Saturday.
Providing a health update, Dr Jalil Parkar of Lilavati Hospital stated that Kokate underwent angioplasty involving two major coronary arteries following the findings of a coronary angiography. “Based on the angiography results, Mr Manikrao Kokate today underwent a successful coronary angioplasty involving two main arteries. He is recuperating well in the Intensive Care Unit. A detailed medical bulletin will be issued tomorrow at 4 pm at the gates of Lilavati Hospital,” Dr Parkar said.
Kokate was admitted to the hospital after being diagnosed with Acute Coronary Syndrome accompanied by escalated hypertension. Earlier, on December 20, Dr Parkar had said that Kokate was brought to the casualty ward on December 18 with extremely high blood pressure. After a series of medical examinations, doctors confirmed the diagnosis and immediately initiated necessary treatment.
The health update comes amid major political developments involving the NCP leader. On Friday, the Bombay High Court granted bail to Kokate in connection with a 1995 cheating case, directing him to furnish a bond of ₹1 lakh. Following his conviction in the case, Kokate resigned on Thursday from his post as Maharashtra’s Sports and Minority Development and Waqf Minister.
Subsequently, Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat re-allotted Kokate’s ministerial portfolios to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Announcing the resignation and portfolio reallocation in a post on X, Pawar cited “constitutional morality and institutional integrity,” stating that the move reflected the party’s commitment to the rule of law and respect for the judiciary.
Kokate had earlier courted controversy after a video allegedly showing him playing online rummy during a legislative council session went viral, drawing widespread criticism.
Doctors at Lilavati Hospital said Kokate remains under close medical observation, and his condition is currently stable.
