Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. Speaking at the gathering, Malik, who has had a rather tumultuous relationship with the BJP and its central leadership, alleged that PM Modi was “arrogant” in discussions about farm laws and farmer’s protests.

“When I went to meet the Prime Minister to discuss the farmer issue, I ended up fighting with him within [for] five minutes. He was very arrogant. When I told him that 500 of our own [farmers] had died… he said, ‘Did they die for me?’ I told him yes, since you are the king. I ended up having an argument with him. He told me to meet Amit Shah and I did,” said Malik.

Also read | PM Narendra Modi’s Augarnath Temple visit: Why is it called the Kali Paltan Mandir?

The Meghalaya governor went on with his criticism even after the event. Speaking to local media in Haryana, Malik commented on PM Modi’s decision to repeal the farm laws, saying, “What more could the PM have said other than what he said… We [farmers] should get decisions done in our favour. We should take their help to get legal guarantee for MSP instead of doing something that spoils everything.”

“Some issues are still pending. For instance, there are cases [against farmers]… the government needs to show honesty on that count and withdraw the cases. Similarly, legal MSP will have to be done,” he added.

Malik went on to warn the Centre of further escalations, saying, “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.”

Interestingly, this is not the first time that Malik has attacked PM Modi and the Centre, despite being part of the BJP. He is the only governor appointed by the Modi government to have gone on record to criticise the Prime Minister and the policies of the Central government.

Also read | PM Modi initiates sports university; here are India’s top sports institutes

Earlier in November 2021, the Meghalaya governor had told media that PM Modi would eventually repeal the farm laws under pressure from the agitation, and even went on to say that he was apprehensive about getting a call from Delhi whenever he spoke on the farmers’ protest. He had also criticised the Centre earlier during the abrogation of Article 370 and has predicted a loss for the BJP in the upcoming 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

A serial party hopper, Malik has changed his allegiance several times, from Lok Dal to the Congress, the Janata Dal, the Samajwadi Party, and then, finally, the BJP.