Panaji, Jun 21 (IANS): A video of Goa Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai angrily gesticulating at a fisherwoman and getting into a heated argument with her went viral on the nternet on Wednesday, with social media users slamming the Minister for his action.

Sardesai, however, said the "conversation" with the fisherwoman was deliberately and maliciously interpreted.

"I'm utterly shocked and appalled by the deliberate and malicious interpretation of a conversation that I had while reviewing the progress of the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) fish market. The gesture I made while saying 'you write about it' has been intentionally misconstrued to defame me and discredit my work," Sardesai said.

In the video, after making the controversial gesture to the fisherwoman, an associate of Sardesai is also seen tugging at the Minister's hand, pulling it down.

Sardesai said that at no point was any gesture made to insult anyone or to hurt anyone's sentiments.

"This new method of vilification, by creating an issue and then writing about it in the media, is the modus operandi of frustrated and unprincipled individuals and outfits who have been made speechless and motionless by the speed of development that I have undertaken for the people," Sardesai said.