Modi silent on Swami’s Rajan baiting, warns media to keep off

Maverick BJP MP Subramanian Swamy's outbursts at Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Raghuram Rajan seem to have the blessings of the powers be or that is what one would surmise after Prime Minister Modi himself said the matter of Rajan's reappointment should nor concern the media.

Rajan has been different in his approach from his predecessors and more straightforward in finding solutions to problems. He has been critical of both the industry and the administration, especially on the issue of rising bad assets of state-owned banks.

This could be one reason that the issue of his reappointment received this sort of media attention.

In an interview to The Wall Street Journal, Prime Minister Modi said that Rajan's reappointment is an administrative decision and it shouldn't be an issue of media's interest.

"I don't think this administrative subject should be an issue of interest to the media," Modi said.

"Besides, it will come up only in September," he told The Wall Street Journal, referring to the three-year term of Rajan which ends in September.

"Do you support the reappointment of Mr Rajan, the central bank governor? the prime minister was asked.

Rajan, who was more outspoken, had expressed his views on a host of issues, including intolerance in society and has even described India as 'one-eyed king' in the land of blind in reference to the country's high economic growth.

Swamy, meanwhile, has alleged that Rajan has been sending confidential and sensitive financial information around the world and wanted the prime minister to sack him immediately.
 
The BJP leader also accused Rajan of publicly disparaging the Modi government and alleged that he is a member of "a US dominated group" that was set up to defend America's dominant position in the global economy.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley has said RBI and the government are in continuous dialogue and that relationship will continue.

As an outspoken RBI Governor, Rajan has expressed his views on a host of issues, including intolerance and has even described India as 'one-eyed king' in the land of blind in reference to the country's high economic growth.

BJP MP Subramanian Swamy has levelled allegations against Rajan including of sending confidential and sensitive financial information around the world and asked the Prime Minister to sack him immediately.

The BJP leader also accused Rajan of publicly disparaging the Modi government and alleged that he is a member of "a US dominated group" that was set up to defend America's dominant position in the global economy.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley has said RBI and the government are in continuous dialogue and that relationship will continue.

Swamy's all-out criticism of the RBI governor, especially with regard to his personal integrity and patriotism, is well-timed as it is time for the government to hunt for Rajan's successor or extend his term.

Swamy is closer to the BJP's ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS).