Modi gives Rajan a clean chit, calls him 'patriotic'

Prime minister Narendra Modi finally came to the defence of outgoing Reserve Bank governor Raghuram Rajan, calling him “no less patriotic” and reprimanding party motor mouth Subramanian Swamy for being “inappropriate” and publicity hungry.

Modi’s admonition of Swamy came during an interview with private television channel Times Now that was broadcast last night. Critics, however, contend that his measured reaction had come a day too late, and might have been forced by finance minister Arun Jaitely cutting short an official visit to China last night.

Jaitley and his A team, comprising economic affairs secretary Shaktikanta Das and chief economic adviser Arvind Subramanian, have been the latest victims of Swamy’s acerbic tongue, soon after Rajan publicly called its quits as the country’s chief central banker.

“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 said, without naming Swamy. Modi was asked about the comments of “your Rajya Sabha MP” in the context of Raghuram Rajan and queried whether it was appropriate.

“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. Praising Rajan, Modi said he was sure that he (Rajan) 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 was not mentally fully Indian.

Referring to apprehensions whether Rajan would be allowed to complete his term, the prime minister said though the previous UPA government appointed him, Rajan would be completing his term.

The public condemnation of Swamy’s tweets by Modi has come amidst reports of Jaitley taking up the issue with BJP’s top brass. The finance minister cut short his visit to China by a day and returned home on Sunday.

Jaitley had left on a five-day visit to China on June 24 to attend the first meeting of the board of governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). He was originally scheduled to meet his Chinese counterpart Lou Jiwei on Monday, besides the chairman of national development and reform commission Xu Shaosi and governor of People's Bank of China Zhou Xiaochuan. These appointments were, however, advanced to allow him return home early.

Officials did not give any reason for Jaitley cutting short his visit by a day. But Press Trust of India said it came amid reports that he was unhappy with Swamy's attacks and was keen that the party act to rein him.

Ostensibly taking a dig at Jaitley’s sartorial choices during his China trip, Swamy had tweeted, “BJP should direct our ministers to wear traditional and modernised Indian clothes while abroad. In coat and tie, they look like waiters.”

This attack on Jaitley and earlier his officials by the maverick BJP leader, who was recently nominated to the Rajya Sabha, followed his tirade against Rajan.