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Governor Satya Pal Malik walks back his comments on Modi, Shah

Malik appreciated the Prime Minister’s move to repeal the three farm laws

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik | PTI (File) Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik | PTI

After the Congress demanded an unconditionally apology from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik's allegation that he was "arrogant" on the farmers' issue, Malik said that his remarks about PM Modi had been "misconstrued."

Following Malik's allegation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "arrogant", senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge had asked on Monday whether Malik's remarks were true. Kharge had shared a video clip on Twitter of Malik from a function at Charkhi Dadri in Haryana, where he is saying that when he went to meet the prime minister on the issue of farmers, the latter was "arrogant" and had a fight with him within five minutes. The Congress also alleged that it was due to Modi's arrogance that so many farmers died. 

Speaking to The Indian Express on Tuesday, Malik appreciated the Prime Minister’s move to repeal the three contentious farm laws passed by Parliament in September last year and also said “the PM is on the right track now.”

Malik told The Indian Express that “Shah did not make any comment on the Prime Minister” but had “asked me to keep meeting people and try to convince them”. “Actually, Amit Shah had asked me why do I keep making statements? But when I told him the government had to find a middle path for the farmers and cannot let them die, he was very understanding. He understood the issue too,” he told the newspaper.

The Congress on Monday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come clean on Satya Pal Malik's allegation that he was "arrogant" on the farmers' issue and demanded an unconditionally apology if it was true.

Satya Pal Malik on Sunday had said the Centre will have to work with honesty to withdraw cases registered against farmers during the agri laws protest and give a legal framework to MSP for crops.

The farmers' agitation has only been suspended, and if there is any injustice, it will start again, he told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Charkhi Dadri where he was honoured by the Phogat Khap.

"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.

"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.

Malik claimed in the video that Modi was not ready to accept that the farmers who were protesting against three agriculture laws of the Centre last year died due to him and instead, asked him to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

"Meghalaya's Governor Sri. Satya Pal Malik is on record saying PM was 'arrogant' on the issue of Farmers and Home Minister Amit Shah called the PM as 'mad'. Constitutional authorities speaking about each other with such contempt!" Kharge wrote on Twitter.

Malik is also heard saying in the video clip that when he met Shah, the latter told him that "people have clouded his (Modi's) vision" and he should keep meeting the prime minister.

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