Mumbai, July 1 -- Opposition parties staged protests in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly today following the one-day suspension of Congress MLA Nana Patole, along with Akola West legislator Sajid Khan Pathan, condemning the move as "anti-democratic". The disciplinary action occurred on the second day of ongoing monsoon session, after Patole raised allegations of farmer disrespect by BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar and Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate. The controversy erupted during Question Hour when Patole attempted to approach the Speaker's chair to silently register his protest over the treatment of farmers. The ruling alliance subsequently moved for his suspension, which opposition members characterized as 'authoritarian'. Pathan denou...