Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an interview with Times Now, disapproved of party MP Subramanian Swamy's attacks on RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan and some top Finance Ministry officials, calling them "inappropriate".
Calling Rajan "no less patriotic", Modi virtually ticked off Swamy saying, "If anybody considers himself above the system then it is wrong".
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 had also 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.
Recalling Modi's recent counsel to party leaders in Allahabad to maintain balance and restraint in their speech and conduct, Times Now’s Arnab Goswamy pointed out that there have been criticisms against very senior government officials even after that.
"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 calling him patriotic and saying that he 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.
Referring to apprehensions 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.
Here are the responses given by the Prime Minister on the Rajan controversy in full:
"I believe Raghuram Rajan's patriotism is no less than any of ours. It will be doing injustice to him if one says that he will serve the country only if he is at a particular post. As much as I know Raghuram Rajan, whatever post he holds, wherever he is, he is someone who will continue to serve the country. He is someone who loves his country. Therefore, it's not like the nation won't get Raghuram Rajan's services, Raghuram Rajan is not that kind of a person. He is a person who loves the country. Those who speak such language are doing great injustice to him. My experience with him has been good.I appreciate the work he has done. And my good wishes will always be with him."
"Whether it is someone from my party or not, I believe that such things are inappropriate. The nation won't benefit from such publicity stunts. One should be more responsible while conducting themselves. Anyone who believes he is bigger than the system is wrong."
"I have a very clear message. I have no two minds about it."