Congress MLA Nana Patole, suspended from the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for a day after creating an uproar over alleged anti-farmer remarks, strongly criticised the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters, Patole lashed out, saying, “BJP MLAs and ministers claim that PM Modi is the messiah of farmers. PM Modi cannot be the messiah of farmers... The way farmers are being insulted, is this why they have been brought to power?”

Patole accused the Modi government of ignoring farmers’ distress, adding that the suicide rate among farmers had risen under BJP rule. “Ever since PM Modi has formed the government, the suicide rate of farmers has increased,” he said, alleging that no concrete support had been extended to farmers grappling with crop failures and unseasonal rains.

He also took a swipe at Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, declaring, “We will continue to fight for the farmers. We do not want a certificate from CM Fadnavis.”

Patole’s remarks came after he was suspended for storming the Speaker’s podium in protest, demanding an apology from BJP leaders for statements that, according to him, demeaned farmers.