Undaunted by the Government and his party not approving his sharp criticism, senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member Subramanian Swamy on Thursday stepped up his attack against Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) Arvind Subrmananian even while brushing aside Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s defence of the top official in his Ministry.
"let him say what he wants....I have nothing to do with what Jaitley says. I can talk to the party President or the prime minister," he reportedly told media persons here who asked him about Jaitley's disapproval of his tirade against a technocrat in the government who cannot respond and defend himself.
Swamy, who is also a National Executive member of the BJP, further tweeted on Arvind Subramanian (AS), "If BJP Union Govt says that we know all about AS but still he is an asset, then I will suspend my demand and wait for events to prove truth.
"Within a year after getting plum job in the Indian Government especially since out of 1.25 billion we could not find any equal or better."
Citing an example of Arvind Subramanian's public criticism of Modi, he tweeted, "Who said: 'What about GujaratIJ Mr Modi stands indicted as a mediocre performer (judged by tax collection & social outcomes)'...AS in BS 23/1/13."
Swamy said Subrmanian had given statements earlier, asking US Congress to pressurise India and then only US trade will benefit.
"He was working with Pfizer's research institute and was batting for the US drug companies earlier," he said.
Swamy kept up his onslaught against Subrmanian saying he will "suspend" the demand for his sacking if the government considers him patriotic despite his attempts in the past of trying to twist India's arm.
"If an IndianIJ, held patriotic, can advise a foreign nation where he works, to twist India's arm, is to be forgiven, then I suspend my demand.
"AS (Arvind Subramanian) to US Cong: "US initiatives by discriminating against India companies and exporters will exert pressure on India to open up" AS 13/3/13!," Swamy tweeted.
Swamy had on Wednesday created ripples when he sought Subramanian's sacking for allegedly taking anti-India stance when he was an IMF economist in Washington prior to joining the Finance Ministry.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, however, strongly defended the top official saying, "Government has full confidence in CEA. His advice to Government from time to time has been of great value". The finance minister said BJP also does not share Swamy's views .