Patil has a history of making outrageous and insensitive remarks.

Senior Nationalist Congress Party leader RR Patil on Saturday made shocking statements about sexual assault while addressing a rally ahead of Assembly Elections in Maharashtra.

At a rally in Sangli, the controversial leader and former Maharashtra home minister claimed he was approached by supporters of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's Sudhakar Khade.

"Khade's supporters came to me and lend me their support," Patil said. "I asked them why were they doing so? They said their candidate was in the prison in a rape case.

"If he (Sudhakar Khade) wanted to become a MLA, he should have at least committed rape after the election", Patil said to a cheering audience.

Khade was booked on rape charges first in 2007 and again in 2011, Hindustan Times reported.

Patil later apologised for his remarks and said he was being sarcastic when he made those statements. " "My comments were of satirical nature. I regret if anyone feels hurt. I have no intentions to insult women," the report in Hindustan Times quoted him as saying.

Patil has a history of making outrageous and insensitive remarks. Earlier this year, he had said that crime against women could not be prevented even if guards were provided for every single household. He later retracted from the controversial statement later.

In 2008, after the 26/11 attacks, Patil had downplayed their seriousness and said, "such small things keep happening in nations as big as ours." He was later forced to resign as Maharashtra Home Minister.

Reacting to his comments, the BJP called Patil a big joke and cited his previous transgressions. "“After 26/11, he made an insensitive comment suggesting ‘small incidents do happen in big cities’. Then, after Shakti Mill compound incident (rape of a woman journalist), he said should I give protection to all journalists. He has absolutely no conscience and no right to be in public life. He should be voted out on October 15 by the people,” Indian Express quoted BJP spokesperson Shaina NC as saying.