Former Maharashtra Assembly speaker and sitting Congress MLA Nana Patole was suspended for a day from the Assembly proceedings on Tuesday after he walked up to Speaker Rahul Narwekar’s chair and touched the ceremonial mace kept on the dais, triggering uproar in the House.

The incident took place shortly after Question Hour, when Patole raised strong objections to recent remarks made by BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar, who had allegedly insulted farmers by saying they shouldn’t criticise the government after receiving benefits from various schemes.

“Modi might be boss for them, not for us,” Patole remarked, prompting a loud protest from members of the ruling party. As disruptions intensified, Speaker Rahul Narwekar adjourned the proceedings for five minutes. However, when the session resumed, Patole approached the Speaker’s chair and touched the ceremonial mace — a symbolic act considered a breach of Assembly decorum.