Panaji: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Goa on Monday said that the actions of former Governor Satyapal Malik after his transfer from Goa clearly reflect that he was not suitable for the post.
BJP leader and state Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Desai, addressing a press conference in Panaji, stated that Malik, who repeatedly made statements against the BJP and its leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was “not suitable for the post.”
Phal Desai, along with BJP MLAs Sankalp Amonkar, Kedar Naik, and State Spokesman Giriraj Pai Vernekar, was addressing a press conference to defend the state government over allegations of its involvement in the cash-for-jobs scam.
“If Satyapal Malik had any proof regarding what he said about the Goa Chief Minister, he should have taken action immediately when he was in office,” Phal Desai said.
The minister added that Malik began making statements about the BJP, its leaders, and the Goa Chief Minister only after he was removed from the post of Governor.
“When he realized that he was not getting any more positions, he started making statements,” he said.
Responding to a question about why Malik was selected by the BJP-led government as Governor, Phal Desai said that it may have been a mistake to appoint him to such a high position. “But sometimes, you never know how people change,” he commented.
Malik served as the 18th Governor of Goa between 2019 and 2020. The former Governor had accused CM Pramod Sawant of being involved in corrupt practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
BJP Goa Spokesman Giriraj Vernekar said that one needs to check the credibility of Satyapal Malik before engaging in arguments with him.
“I am not saying this to him, but there is a famous saying: never wrestle with a pig because you’ll get dirty and he’ll enjoy it,” Vernekar said.
