Not a very clear message

The best way to discipline a wrongdoer, or as in this case a loose talker, is to act fast and firmly, and deliver a clear message that if the offending behaviour is repeated, there would be consequences. Dr Subramanian Swamy, who was recently appointed a Rajya Sabha member with support from Nagpur in recognition of his talent for annoying his opponents, particularly the Gandhis, has resumed his attention-seeking hobby of tarnishing reputations of eminent people in public life. He has even prepared a list of targets. On Monday Prime Minister Modi is supposed to have given him a mild rap on the wrist which is unlikely to make Dr Swamy either give up or change his defining trait. 

It might be odd, but not unusual for Mr Modi to use a TV interview to upbraid, if that at all was the intention, an indiscreet and voluble party MP and that too in indirect terms without uttering Swamy’s name. “Such things are inappropriate. The nation won’t benefit” from them, Modi told Swamy through the TV interview. Research suggests that for effective communication the message must be couched in the language the listener understands. Mr Modi is known for straight talk but he chose a diplomatic route. He praised RBI Governor Rajan and also got rid of him. In fact, both the interviewee and the interviewer behaved contrary to their public image. When Mr Modi added that “anyone who believes he is bigger than the system is wrong,” the interviewer said: “That’s a very clear message”, and the Prime Minister nodded in agreement. 

Dr Swamy has got away, or been allowed to get away, lightly after he hounded out a talented banker. Small men sometimes do big damage. It was perhaps Finance Minister Jaitley’s protest over Swamy’s jibes which invited the prime ministerial intervention. It is likely Mr Modi uses the loose cannons in the Sangh Parivar for a purpose, adopting a strategy, common in politics, of running with the hare and hunting with the hounds. Maybe Modi still is the strongman the country elected and believes in his “56-inch” image, and this softness towards Swamy is part of a strategy.