Personal attacks are inappropriate: Modi

Modi on Pakistan

Rajan is no less patriotic, he loves India: PM Modi ticks off Subramanian Swamy

NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi has made it clear that he completely disapproves of his party’s MP Subramanian Swamy making disparaging comments about outgoing RBI governor Raghuram Rajan and others.In an exclusive interview to Times Now, PM Modi said those comments by Swamy on Rajan were “inappropriate”. Rajan is "no less patriotic" than anyone else, the PM asserted.Hinting at Swamy, the PM said nobody is above the system, and added that remarks made for publicity are never appropriate."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.Swamy has been publicly attacking not just Rajan. In recent days, he’s attacked Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian, economic affairs secretary Shaktikanta Das and even Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.PM Modi also praised Rajan."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," the PM said.The PM also confirmed that Rajan will be completing his term – that ends in September - as RBI governor.The PM was also asked about what a “lakshmanrekha with Pakistan” would be.“The decision about a lakshmanrekha...whom in Pakistan can you decide on what that will be? With the elected government or with all actors,” the PM asked, referring to how state and non-state actors often collude in terror attacks in India. “Therefore, we have to be always alert, we can never be lax,” the Pm added.The PM said that his continual efforts to have dialogue with Pakistan has played a huge role in the world understanding India’s terrorist problem.“Because of these efforts the whole world now accepts what India has been saying about terrorism,” Modi said. He recalled how earlier the world dismissed India’s terror problem as “your law and order problem.”Pakistan’s silence, too, speaks volumes the PM said.“It is finding it difficult to give answers (about terrorism) and this, the world can see."