PM ticks off Swamy

Ticking off Subramanian Swamy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today disapproved of his attacks on Raghuram Rajan calling them "inappropriate" and asserted the RBI Governor was "no less patriotic than us".
In a veiled message to the newly-nominated BJP MP, he said the nation will not benefit from "such craving for publicity" and added "if anybody considers himself above the system then it is wrong".
In an interview to Times Now, Modi also spoke about relations with Pakistan in the wake of the terror attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir and said while engagement for peace was on, forces have been given "full freedom to answer back" in any manner they have to.

He also sought to play down the scuttling of India's bid for NSG membership by China in Seoul last week and exuded confidence that the country will succeed in the effort saying the process has begun on a "positive note".
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, 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.
Even after that there have been criticisms made against very senior government officials, the questioner said 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 said when he was asked whether his message on the issue is clear.
Modi then went on to praise Rajan, who has said no to a second term in RBI, saying his patriotism was no less and 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.