In a virtual snub to party MP Subramanian Swamy for his trenchant attacks on RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan and some top Finance Ministry officials, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed Rajan as a “patriot” and said “if anybody considers himself above the system then it is wrong.”
Without naming Swamy, who had earlier described the RBI Governor as someone “mentally not fully Indian” and who has “willfully” wrecked the country’s economy, Modi termed Rajan as “no less patriotic” and appreciated his work.
The comments, coming from the Prime Minister in an interview with Times Now, assume significance as Swamy recently trained his guns at Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also.
The BJP, which had distanced itself from Swamy’s vitriolic comments on his Twitter account, is yet to come out with an unambiguous statement on the issue.
In addition to his tirade against Rajan, Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian, and Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das, Swamy also threatened “a bloodbath” if he were to cross his line of discipline and restraint. This was after Jaitley defended Arvind Subramanian and said, “From the point of view of discipline of Indian politicians, to what extent should we attack those whose discipline and constraints of office prevent them from responding.”
Without taking Swamy’s name, Modi was asked about the comments of “your Rajya Sabha MP” in the context of Raghuram Rajan and whether it was appropriate.
“Whether it is in my party or not, still I think such things are inappropriate. This fondness for publicity is never going to do any good to the nation. People should conduct themselves with utmost responsibility,” said the Prime Minister.
Modi was reminded about his recent counsel to party leaders in the National Executive Meeting at Allahabad, asking them to maintain balance and restraint in their speech and conduct and was asked, “Whether the message on the issue was clearIJ”
“My message is very clear. I have no confusion about it,” the Prime Minister said and then went on to praise Rajan, who has said “no” to a second term in the RBI, saying his patriotism was no less and was sure that he would continue to serve India irrespective of whether he was in some position or not.
“My experience with him has been good and I appreciate the work that he has done. He is no less patriotic. He loves India. Wherever he will work, he will work for India and he is patriotic,” Modi said.
On whether Rajan would be allowed to complete his term, the Prime Minister said though he was appointed by the previous UPA Government, Rajan would be completing his term.
Meanwhile, Jaitley cut short his visit to China by a day. Jaitley, who began a five-day visit to China on June 24 primarily to attend the first meeting of the Board of Governors of the $100-billion Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, came back on Sunday night.
He was originally scheduled to meet Chinese Finance Minister lou Jiwei on Monday but the meeting was advanced to take place on Sunday itself. His other engagements, including meetings with National Development and Reform Commission Chairman Xu Shaoshi and People’s Bank of China Governor Zhou Xiaochuan, scheduled for Monday, were also advanced to allow him to return to India on Sunday night.
Officials did not give any reason for Jaitley cutting short his visit but there was media speculation that he was unhappy with Swamy’s veiled attacks on him and top Finance Ministry officials and was keen that the party act to rein him in.