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On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's words defending Raghuram Rajan's work and Indianness would have come as a major comfort to the outgoing governor, who had to face a barrage of personal attacks from the BJP maverick MP Subramanian Swamy on his patriotism and integrity, although Rajan would have hoped Modi's statements came earlier.
Swamy had attacked Rajan for being "mentally not fully Indian” and on the governor's personal integrity and professional efficiency. But, on Monday, in an interview to Times Now Television channel, Modi refused to back Swamy, instead praised Rajan. Modi called attacks on Rajan as "inappropriate” and said Rajan is "no less patriotic” than anyone. "Kisi se bhi Raghuram Rajan ki deshbakti kam nahi hai (Raghuram Rajan's patriotism is no less than anyone),” Modi said.
Modi simultaneously added that no one should consider himself above the system.
Now, this statement is easy to interpret as an explicit warning to Swamy, who has made controversial statements not just against Rajan, but also against Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and his trusted aides in the finance ministry, Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian and Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das. Swamy had even said that if he hadn't followed party decorum, there would have been "bloodbath” in an indirect response to Jaitley who earlier said that politicians should exercise "restraint” on government officials.
Besides Rajan, Swamy had also attacked CEA Subramanian for allegedly siding with the US companies in his 2013 testimony to US Congress and Das for facilitating Congress leader P Chidambaram's alleged land deal in Mahabalipuram. Swamy also alleged that the CEA encouraged the Congress party to go "rigid” on the crucial Goods ad Services Tax (GST).
On Monday, Modi didn't economise words in dismissing Swamy's attacks.
"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 PM told the channel.
But, on a closer look, this statement - if anybody considers himself above the system that is wrong - could be a light tap on the knuckles for Rajan as well because, during his three year stint, Rajan has made several controversial, politically sensitive comments including his "one-eyed King in the land of blind” on Indian economic growth and criticism on several government initiatives including 'Make in India' and 'Jan Dhan Yojana'. In this context, one can interpret that Modi's warnings apply to Rajan as well.
Remember, Modi didn't jump in to support Rajan when Swamy began his attacks. The PM has largely remained silent on Swamy's attacks on Rajan till now and had, earlier, played down questions on this as an "administrative issue” and something that shouldn't be in the interest of media. Rajan eventually decided not to take up a second term and announced his decision in a letter to his staff on 18 June and released it publicly.
But, what is even more critical to note here is the next statement on Rajan.
Modi reiterated his confidence in the patriotism of Rajan and said Rajan will continue to serve the country no matter in what position he is. "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 is, he will work for India and he is patriotic." Now recall Rajan's words in his farewell letter to his staff. "I will, of course, always be available to serve my country when needed.”
Reading between the lines, it makes you wonder if Modi is keeping the door open for a Rajan comeback in some other capacity. Both Modi and Rajan have left enough hints for the latter's second innings in India, if not in the RBI, in the government, at a later stage. Modi's take on Rajan in the interview and, on Swamy, are loaded with meanings that apply to both sides.
http://m.firstpost.com/business/pm-...amanian-swamy-and-raghuram-rajan-2858964.html
@JD_In @jbgt90 @SrNair @Rain Man @Stephen Cohen @Joe Shearer
Swamy had attacked Rajan for being "mentally not fully Indian” and on the governor's personal integrity and professional efficiency. But, on Monday, in an interview to Times Now Television channel, Modi refused to back Swamy, instead praised Rajan. Modi called attacks on Rajan as "inappropriate” and said Rajan is "no less patriotic” than anyone. "Kisi se bhi Raghuram Rajan ki deshbakti kam nahi hai (Raghuram Rajan's patriotism is no less than anyone),” Modi said.
Modi simultaneously added that no one should consider himself above the system.
Now, this statement is easy to interpret as an explicit warning to Swamy, who has made controversial statements not just against Rajan, but also against Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and his trusted aides in the finance ministry, Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian and Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das. Swamy had even said that if he hadn't followed party decorum, there would have been "bloodbath” in an indirect response to Jaitley who earlier said that politicians should exercise "restraint” on government officials.
Besides Rajan, Swamy had also attacked CEA Subramanian for allegedly siding with the US companies in his 2013 testimony to US Congress and Das for facilitating Congress leader P Chidambaram's alleged land deal in Mahabalipuram. Swamy also alleged that the CEA encouraged the Congress party to go "rigid” on the crucial Goods ad Services Tax (GST).
On Monday, Modi didn't economise words in dismissing Swamy's attacks.
"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 PM told the channel.
But, on a closer look, this statement - if anybody considers himself above the system that is wrong - could be a light tap on the knuckles for Rajan as well because, during his three year stint, Rajan has made several controversial, politically sensitive comments including his "one-eyed King in the land of blind” on Indian economic growth and criticism on several government initiatives including 'Make in India' and 'Jan Dhan Yojana'. In this context, one can interpret that Modi's warnings apply to Rajan as well.
Remember, Modi didn't jump in to support Rajan when Swamy began his attacks. The PM has largely remained silent on Swamy's attacks on Rajan till now and had, earlier, played down questions on this as an "administrative issue” and something that shouldn't be in the interest of media. Rajan eventually decided not to take up a second term and announced his decision in a letter to his staff on 18 June and released it publicly.
But, what is even more critical to note here is the next statement on Rajan.
Modi reiterated his confidence in the patriotism of Rajan and said Rajan will continue to serve the country no matter in what position he is. "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 is, he will work for India and he is patriotic." Now recall Rajan's words in his farewell letter to his staff. "I will, of course, always be available to serve my country when needed.”
Reading between the lines, it makes you wonder if Modi is keeping the door open for a Rajan comeback in some other capacity. Both Modi and Rajan have left enough hints for the latter's second innings in India, if not in the RBI, in the government, at a later stage. Modi's take on Rajan in the interview and, on Swamy, are loaded with meanings that apply to both sides.
http://m.firstpost.com/business/pm-...amanian-swamy-and-raghuram-rajan-2858964.html
@JD_In @jbgt90 @SrNair @Rain Man @Stephen Cohen @Joe Shearer
