PM breaks his silence on issue in interview to Indian TV channel.
By Sreekanth A. Nair
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed disapproval of BJP Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy’s comments about Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Raghuram Rajan and others saying that the comments were “inappropriate.”
Modi expressed his rebuke in an interview to The Times Now channel which was aired at 6 pm on Monday.
Expressing his solidarity with the RBI governor, Modi said Rajan is “no less patriotic” than anyone else.
“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,” Modi told Times Now.
Subramanian Swamy has attacked Raghuram Rajan several times saying that he was not fit for the post of RBI governor and he was trying to destruct the Indian economy. He had written a letter to the Prime Minister calling for the removal of Rajan from the post of RBI governor.
When asked about whether his opinion is clear on the issues, Modi said, “My message is very clear. I have no confusion about it.”
Praising Rajan for the task he has accomplished, Modi said, “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.”
The Prime Minister also said that though Rajan was appointed by the UPA, his government would allow him to complete his term.
This is the first time that Modi is taking a stand on allegations by Swamy against Rajan who will complete his term as the governor of the RBI in September this year.
BJP has been distancing itself from making comment on Swamy’s remarks on Rajan to avoid a conflict within the party leadership. Recently Swamy has made allegations against Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramananian and Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das, and finance minister Arun Jaitley.
Responding to the allegations, Jaitley said, “We have full confidence in CEA, His advice is of great value.”