Meghalaya governor Satya Pal Malik on January 2 said in a gathering in Dadri, Haryana that when he had met and tried to speak to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the farm laws, Modi was “very arrogant” and the two ended up arguing.
“Shah told me not to worry, and told me to keep raising concerns,” Malik added.
“The government will have to work with honesty to withdraw the cases against the farmers and give a legal framework (guarantee) on MSP. This is the government’s responsibility,” he said.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge shared the video of the statement in which Meghalaya Governor can also be heard saying, "When I met Amit Shah, he told me 'Satya, he has lost his mind. You be carefree and keep meeting us'." Home Minister Amit Shah was allegedly referring to PM Modi, according to Malik.
"Meghalaya's Governor Sri Satya Pal Malik is on record saying PM was 'arrogant' on the issue of Farmers and HM Amit Shah called the PM as 'mad'. Constitutional authorities speaking about each other with such contempt! Narendra Modiji is this true?" Kharge wrote on twitter
“But if the government thinks the agitation has ended, it is not so. It has only been suspended. If there is injustice or if there are any excesses with farmers, then the stir will start again,” he added.
In recent months, Malik has spoken out against the BJP-led central government on several occasions, particularly pertaining to the farmers’ protests. He had even said that he was willing to step down from his post as governor.
In November, Malik also criticised the Central Vista redevelopment plan, a project in which Modi has taken a personal interest, saying it would be better to build a world-class college, instead of a new Parliament building.
Malik was appointed governor – in Jammu and Kashmir and Goa, before being posted to Meghalaya – during Modi’s term as prime minister.
Meanwhile, people on social media were quick to react on the video. Here are some of the interesting tweets:
