Modi slams colleague for attacks on central bank chief

AFP, NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday slammed a party colleague for “inappropriate” personal attacks on popular central bank chief Raghuram Rajan which are thought to have contributed to his departure. Modi also said he appreciated Rajan’s work, just over one week after the Reserve Bank of India governor announced he was standing down at the end of his first term in September.
“I believe Raghuram Rajan’s patriotism is no less than any of ours... As much as I know Raghuram Rajan, whatever post he holds, wherever he is, he is someone who will continue to serve the country,” Modi told the Times Now news channel in a rare interview aired on Monday.
“Those who speak such language (against him) are doing great injustice to him.”
Subramanian Swamy, a lawmaker from Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, had led a public campaign against Rajan, accusing him of keeping interest rates too high and saying his time abroad meant he was “mentally not fully Indian”.
The Harvard-educated Swamy has since gone on to criticise the candidates reportedly now shortlisted for the RBI job, including chief economic adviser Arvind Subramanian.
In his first comments on the controversy, Modi said he did not support such attacks on bureaucrats, branding them publicity stunts. “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,” Modi told the television station, without naming Swamy.

 

Modi slams colleague for attacks on central bank chief

AFP, NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday slammed a party colleague for inappropriate personal attacks on popular central bank chief Raghuram Rajan which are thought to have contributed to his departure. Modi also said he appreciated Rajans work, just over one week after the Reserve Bank of India governor announced he was standing down at the end of his first term in September. I believe Raghuram Rajans patriotism is no less than any of ours... As much as I know Raghuram Rajan, whatever post he holds, wherever he is, he is someone who will continue to serve the country, Modi told the Times Now news channel in a rare interview aired on Monday. Those who speak such language (against him) are doing great injustice to him. Subramanian Swamy, a lawmaker from Modis ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, had led a public campaign against Rajan, accusing him of keeping interest rates too high and saying his time abroad meant he was mentally not fully Indian. The Harvard-educated Swamy has since gone on to criticise the candidates reportedly now shortlisted for the RBI job, including chief economic adviser Arvind Subramanian. In his first comments on the controversy, Modi said he did not support such attacks on bureaucrats, branding them publicity stunts. Whether it is someone from my party or not, I believe that such things are inappropriate. The nation wont benefit from such publicity stunts, Modi told the television station, without naming Swamy.