India, March 16 -- Opposition parties on Saturday strongly objected to certain remarks by Nashik sessions court while granting stay in the conviction of agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate, who was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for fabricating documents to get benefit of a housing scheme meant for poor people.

The court had observed that if Kokate's conviction is not stayed, he would be disqualified, which would necessitate bye-elections at the expense of the public's money.

This attracted strong reactions from the opposition parties, which questioned the mandate of the courts and judicial system in the country.

"It is not a court's lookout whether an election will take place or not. He (Manikrao Kokate) has cheated the Maharas...