Chidambaram, Kejriwal slam Centre over RBI guv''s resignation

New Delhi, December 10 

Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Monday said he was saddened but not surprised by the resignation of Urjit Patel as RBI Governor and claimed no self respecting scholar or academic can work in the NDA Government.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged that RBI governor Urjit Patel was eased out by the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre to bring in a "more pliable" person to fill the post.

"RBI governor Urjit Patel has been eased out since he refused to allow the Modi govt to plunder Rs three lakh crore of RBI reserves. Now Modi govt will get a more pliable RBI governor who will allow this loot," Kejriwal said in a tweet.

In a series of tweets, Chidambaram said the last meeting of the Reserve Bank of India Board held on November 19 was the "day of reckoning" and Patel should have resigned on that day.

"Dr Patel may have thought that government will re-trace its steps. I knew it would not. Good he quit before another humiliating meeting.

"Saddened, not surprised, by Dr Urjit Patel's resignation. No self respecting scholar or academic can work in this government," he said. 

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged that NDA government "denigrated" another institution and that his exit was the result of attempts to stifle RBI's independence. 

Patel, who had a run in with the government over autonomy of the central bank, Monday resigned from his post.

In a brief statement, Patel said he has decided to step down with immediate effect. He, however, did not specify the reason for the decision.

"The manner in which the RBI governor has been forced to quit is a blot on India's monetary and banking system. BJP government has unleashed a defacto financial emergency. The country's reputation and credibility is now at stake," senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel said. - PTI