‘Considering yourself above system is wrong’: Modi on Swamy's remarks

Modi praised Raghuram Rajan, saying his patriotism was no less and he would continue to serve India.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday disapproved of party MP Subramanian Swamy's attacks on RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan and some top finance ministry officials saying they were "inappropriate".

Calling Rajan "no less patriotic", he 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 also had made some carping comments about Jaitley without taking his name. "Whether it is in my party or not, 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 said in an interview to a news channel.

Without taking Swamy's name, 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 criticism made against very senior government officials, the questioner asked, 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 replied.

Modi then went on to praise Rajan, who has said no to a second term in the RBI, saying he was patriotic and 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," Modi said in an apparent riposte to Swamy's attack that Rajan was not mentally Indian.

The Prime Minister rubbished apprehensions that Rajan would not be allowed to complete his term.