Congress MLA Nana Patole was suspended for a day from the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly following a heated exchange with Speaker Rahul Narwekar. The incident occurred after Patole aggressively approached the Speaker’s podium, demanding action against Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate and BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar for allegedly making insulting remarks about farmers.
The controversy erupted after the Question Hour when Patole raised the issue, urging the Speaker to take action against Kokate and Lonikar. The remarks made by both leaders in recent days had triggered significant backlash. During the altercation, Patole was seen shouting and confronting the Speaker. Speaker Narwekar cautioned Patole for using unparliamentary language, particularly for his controversial statement: “Modi may be your father, but he can never be the father of farmers.”
Despite repeated warnings, Patole continued to argue near the Speaker’s chair, leading to a brief adjournment of the House. Upon resumption, opposition MLAs began chanting slogans such as “Apologize to the farmers!” in protest.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned Patole’s behavior, stating: “Expressing emotions over an issue is one thing, but charging at the Speaker is highly inappropriate. Patole himself has served as Speaker and should know better. He owes an apology.”
Following the chaos, Speaker Rahul Narwekar announced Patole’s suspension for the remainder of the day. This decision prompted a walkout by opposition members of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in solidarity with Patole.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray criticized the suspension, calling it an attack on democratic dissent. “This is perhaps the first time in Maharashtra's history that an MLA has been suspended for raising their voice in defense of farmers. It’s a dangerous precedent. This government, propped up by the Election Commission’s blessings, continues to insult farmers instead of honoring its promises,” he said.
Speaking to the media after his suspension, Nana Patole remained defiant. “I gave up my MP position for farmers before. I am ready to give up my MLA seat and even my life for farmers. A one-day suspension means nothing to me,” he said.
He further accused the BJP and its allies of being anti-farmer, citing past remarks by Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate, who allegedly compared farmers to beggars, and Babanrao Lonikar, who claimed that Prime Minister Modi provides everything to farmers — from seeds to clothes and mobile phones.
Slamming the ruling government, Patole said, “They came to power promising loan waivers, fair prices for crops, and 24-hour free electricity for farmers. Now they are insulting the very same farmers. This arrogance of power will not be tolerated. We will continue to fight, no matter how many times they try to silence us.”
He demanded a public apology from both Babanrao Lonikar and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for their remarks and the government's alleged anti-farmer stance.
