India, April 10 -- State agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate's penchant for insulting farmers has earned him a stern warning from his party chief, Ajit Pawar. "Once, twice. but making the same mistake a third time will not be acceptable," said Pawar, NCP chief and deputy chief minister.

Pawar issued the warning during a party meeting on Tuesday evening at his official residence, stating that if Kokate embarrassed the party a third time, he would have to face consequences. Despite Pawar's frustration, Kokate arrived late for the meeting.

Without naming the minister, Pawar is said to have told party leaders to refrain from making statements that would bring disrepute to the NCP. He referred to two statements made by Kokate, in which he i...