Farm laws and their related agitations have proved to be a revelation for the Central government. The year-long protest brought everyone out of their skins. Meghalaya Governor Satyapal Malik’s recent rant on the issue is one such example.
Satyapal Malik comes out all guns blazing
Satyapal Malik, the veteran leader of BJP has again sparked controversy with his views on farm laws and PM Modi.
After attending a social function in Dadri, Malik was talking to media personnel. When journalists asked for his opinion on repealing of controversial farm laws, Malik asserted that Prime Minister had no choice other than to repeal them. “What more could the PM have said other than what he said… We (farmers) should get decisions done in our favour” said Malik.
Also Read: The 3 farm laws aren’t going away, they are just changing shape
Appealing farmers to demand a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP), he said, “We should take their help to get legal guarantee for MSP instead of doing something that spoils everything.” He also put forward his demand to withdraw those cases which are pending against alleged farmers.
Farmers’ protests have not ended: Malik
Malik aired his view on the nature of farmers’ agitation. According to him, farmers’ protests have not ended. Promising farmers that they will have his support in case they again decide to protest against the central government, he said, “If the government thinks that this agitation has ended, it has not… The agitation has only been suspended. If injustice or atrocity is committed on farmers, then it will start again. I will be with them (farmers) whatever the situation.”
Malik rant on PM Modi capitalised by Congress
Meanwhile, his statement about PM Modi has snowballed into a political controversy. Malik did not adhere to parliamentary language while calling him arrogant. Talking about his meeting with Prime Minister on the issue, he alleged that PM Modi does not care for farmers.
According to Malik, he had gone to PM Modi to talk about farm laws and complained that 500 farmers had died. He then claimed that the Prime minister was not accepting his responsibility. Moreover, Malik also tried to stage sensation by alleging a feud between PM Modi and home minister Amit Shah.
Read more: Have 700 farmers really died protesting against farm laws? Govt asks for proof
Congress pounces on Malik’s remarks
Meanwhile, Congress was quick to pounce on Malik’s statement. The party shared his clip about Prime Minister on their Twitter handle and exclaimed that democracy is in danger. Mallikarjun Kharge also took to Twitter to share controversial clips.
घमंड…क्रूरता…संवेदनहीनता
भाजपा के राज्यपाल के इस बयान में पीएम मोदी के व्यक्तित्व में शामिल इन्हीं 'गुणों' का बखान है।
मगर, ये एक लोकतंत्र के लिए चिंता की बात है। pic.twitter.com/HGxzKfYsme
— Congress (@INCIndia) January 3, 2022
Meghalaya’s Governor Sri. Satya Pal Malik is on record saying PM was 'arrogant' on the issue of Farmers & HM Amit Shah called the PM as ‘mad’
Constitutional authorities speaking about each other with such contempt!@narendramodi ji is this true?pic.twitter.com/M0EtHn2eQp
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) January 3, 2022
Malik has a history of controversies behind him
This is not the first time Malik has issued statements against the Central government. In October(2021), he had warned the Modi government against their stand on farm laws. He had categorically stated that BJP will lose the next election if they do not withdraw the farm law.
Malik had also claimed that he will relinquish the governorship of Meghalaya if needed. Indirectly, he had also threatened the government of armed rebellion by citing Sikhs’ resistance to Mughals.
Similarly, in November (2021), he supported protestors’ insistence on sticking to the protest sites even after the withdrawal of farm laws. Malik had said that protestors will return only if MSPs are guaranteed by the government.
Controversies during his governorship as well
Satyapal Malik has been one of the foremost leaders of the BJP. His responsible approach towards handling public issues made it possible for the Central government to hand him the Governorship of volatile Jammu and Kashmir. Despite handling the abrogation of Article 370, his J&K governorship was not free of controversy.
He had once alleged that he was offered a bribe to pass two files. In his allegation, he had framed an industrialist with the surname Ambani and an RSS leader for trying to bribe him.
Malik has not been at his best
Malik has also been governor of Bihar, Goa, and Odisha in the past. Before taking up these ultimate constitutional positions in states, he has been a Member of Parliament in both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. His governorship came at the back of his proven mettle in public services.
Read more: Why Satyapal Malik is the best choice for Lt. Governor of Jammu and Kashmir for the next five years
However, now it seems like Malik is almost asking the central government to demand his resignation. His contradictory stands with the current government have now transformed into political mudslinging. It will only serve the Union government if they decide to recall him. Better late than never.
