Patole suspended from assembly for a day

Both Kokate and Lonikar have made objectionable comments about farmers, comparing them with beggars and saying they were getting “clothes, shoes, mobiles and monetary benefits” because of them.

As proceedings commenced in the assembly on the second day of the monsoon session on Tuesday, Patole, who represents the Sakoli assembly constituency in Nagpur, along with other opposition members sought an apology from Kokate and Lonikar for their statements insulting farmers.

When proceedings resumed after a short break, opposition members started raising slogans demanding an apology from the agriculture minister. Speaker Rahul Narwekar tried to calm them down, but then Patole climbed onto the Speaker’s podium, demanding action against Kokate.