Swamy targets Chief Economic Adviser, FM defends him

Vibha Sharma

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 22

Maverick BJP leader Subramanian Swamy is at it again, doing what he is best known for —aiming at selected targets. Only this time the target — NDA-appointed Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian — has left the party baffled and embarrassed.  

The series of tweets Swamy launched on Wednesday morning, pointing towards the CEC's "anti-India" economic stance seemed to be indirectly directed at bete noire Finance Minister Arun Jaitley again. His last high-profile target was Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan.

The fact that Swamy also mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi in one of the tweets left the BJP leadership un-amused. Unlike last time time, the party was quick to respond. Distancing itself from Subramanian, party leaders calling it Swamy's  "personal opinion" 

Meanwhile, sending a strong signal Jaitley defended the CEC and expressed full confidence in him and “great value” advice. "Well, the government has full confidence in CEA Arvind Subramanian. His advice to government from time to time has been of great value.”

“In fact, also the presentation on textiles made just now (media briefing on Cabinet decisions) on textiles and garments sector was prepared in active consultation with him,” Jaitley said at a briefing on Cabinet decision. Observations that Swamy’s real target was Jaitley led Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to say—"integrity of Arun Jaitley is impeccable. His transparency and integrity is unquestionable". 

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Notably, the "silence" after Swamy's diatribe against Rajan in May led to the belief that he enjoyed tacit support from the BJP and its ideological fountainhead RSS on the issue. 

Questioning Rajan's integrity and competence, Swamy led a similar vitriolic campaign against him in May. 

When he hit out at the CEC for his alleged “anti-India stance” on economic issues while serving in the IMF on Wednesday, the target in his "hit list" was hard to miss.

“Modi’s Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian had opposed India on IPR till recently," Swamy said.

“Who said to US Cong on 13/3/13 the US should act against India to defend US Pharmaceuticals interests? Arvind Subramanian MoF!! Sack him!!," said another of his tweets. 

“Guess who encouraged Congi to become rigid on GST clauses? Jaitely's economic adviser Arvind Subramanian of Washington DC,” Swamy said, making public his differences with Jaitley.

 Asserting that the party does not concur with Swamy's views, Jaitley said: “They have said they do not share Swamy's view".  

Significantly, he also added:"From the point of view of discipline of Indian politicians, to what extent should we attack those... discipline and constraints of office prevent them from responding. And this has happened more than once".

Who said to US Cong on 13/3/13 the US should act against India to defend US Pharmaceuticals interests? Arvind Subramanian MoF !! Sack him!!!

— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39)

Swamy's attacks are believed to be the reason behind Rajan’s decision to not seek a second term in September. On whether Rajan's decision was prompted by the government's "silence" on Swamy's attack, Jaitley said he "categorically spoken on this subject when the comments were made about the RBI Governor. Even party president had specifically stated that party does not agree with that comment which was made".  

Guess who encouraged Congi to become rigid on GST clauses ? Jaitely's economic adviser Arvind Subramanian of Washington DC

— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39)

Sources, in fact, also indicate that Jaitley was not averse to Rajan getting a second term. 

While in Rajan's case Swamy may have had the support of some senior BJP leaders and also the Sangh, it does not seem to be the case this time around. "The party does not agree with his views. This is completely his personal opinion," national secretary Shrikant Sharma said. 

Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu added: " The party has not said anything. Government has not said anything...you cannot gag everybody in a democracy".

Now PTs can understand why our core economic sectors could not perform last two years. Trojan horses galore in MoF/ Fin Institutions

— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39)

Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha also reiterated full confidence in Arvind Subramanian.