Ticking off Subramanian Swamy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today disapproved of his attacks on Raghuram Rajan calling them "inappropriate" and asserted the RBI Governor was "no less patriotic than us".
In a veiled message to the newly-nominated BJP MP, he said the nation will not benefit from "such craving for publicity" and added "if anybody considers himself above the system then it is wrong".
In an interview to Times Now, Modi also spoke about relations with Pakistan in the wake of the terror attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir and said while engagement for peace was on, forces have been given "full freedom to answer back" in any manner they have to.
He also sought to play down the scuttling of India's bid for NSG membership by China in Seoul last week and exuded confidence that the country will succeed in the effort saying the process has begun on a "positive note".
The Prime Minister's comments assume significance in the context of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and the BJP distancing themselves from Swamy's recent attacks on Rajan, CEA Arvind Subramananian and Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das.
Swamy also had made some carping comments about Jaitley without taking his name.
"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. If anybody considers himself above the system, it is wrong," the Prime Minister told Times Now.
Without taking the name of Swamy, Modi was asked about the comments of "your Rajya Sabha MP" in the context of Raghuram Rajan and queried whether it was appropriate.
Even after that there have been criticisms made against very senior government officials, the questioner said recalling Modi's recent counsel to party leaders in Allahabad to maintain balance and restraint in their speech and conduct.
"My message is very clear. I have no confusion about it," Modi said when he was asked whether his message on the issue is clear.
Modi then went on to praise Rajan, who has said no to a second term in 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," he said in an apparent riposte to Swamy's attack that Rajan not mentally fully Indian.
Asked about reports and apprehensions that Rajan's exit would affect the image of Indian economy abroad, Modi said if one recalled the media reports for three months after he took over in 2014 there were a number of articles written and TV shows in which questions were raised whether Rajan would be allowed to continue in the post to which he was appointed by the UPA government.
"They said I would not allow him to continue (as RBI Governor). So it was proved wrong. It is wrong to say that Rajan is less patriotic than us. It will also be unfair to say that he will not work for India's interests. I am sure wherever he works or whichever post he holds, Rajan will continue to serve India," the prime minister said.
Modi ruled out political witch hunt in the probe into the AgustaWestland chopper deal, saying investigating agencies will do a professional job and whatever names come up, "let's see".
However, he maintained that a "sin" has been committed and those behind them have had a "big protective cover".
"The case about Agusta helicopters. I can't deny it and I believe that we have the right to doubt that people behind this are very experienced.
"They have perfectly practiced the art of doing wrong deeds. They are very experienced and knowledgeable. And one can also smell the fact that such a thing wouldn't have been done without a big protective shield. Now, agencies are probing. let's see how far the probe goes," he told Times Now.
He was asked in an interview about a feeling that there is some kind of a political witch hunt while it could not also have been done without political patronage.
"There should be no targeting (of individuals). Nor does my government do it," he said.
"A sin has been committed. How was it done, who did it and how much was done. Probe agencies will find out in a professional way. Whatever names come out, let's see," he said.