RSS and BJP not pleased with #Subramanian Swamy, But unsure whether to reprimand him

#NewDelhi :  BJP was caught in a dilemma on how to deal with its Rajya Sabha member Subramanian Swamy, who has engaged in a continuous tirade against FM Arun Jaitley and those perceived to be close to him, with senior party officebearers stating that he has gone beyond bearable limits and action should be initiated to rein him in to prevent further embarrassment, but wthout anybody coming forward to criticise him publicly.

On Friday, Swamy appeared to take a dig at Jaitley — who is on an official visit to China — when he said on Twitter, “BJP should direct our ministers to wear traditional and modernised Indian clothes while abroad. In coat and tie they look like waiters.” Jaitley, known for his rich sartorial taste, often wears a tie and suit on his trips abroad.

An unrepentant Swamy later said, “People giving me unasked for advice of discipline and restraint don’t realise that if I disregard discipline there would be a bloodbath.” It is well known in BJP circles that Swamy got the Rajya Sabha seat with RSS backing and there is a widespread perception within the party that he gets away with controversial remarks due to the strong backing he enjoys from the Sangh fountainhead.

However, Sangh leaders whom ET talked to gave clear indications that Swamy may have exceeded his brief by attacking union ministers. Swamy and Jaitley have never been on good terms and the FM made his ire known when he countered the former’s remarks against economic affairs secretary Shaktikanta Das.

The former Janata Party chief, who merged his party with BJP in 2013, has antagonised both Sangh and the party by going public against Jaitley. “Swamy’s remarks cannot always be termed his personal statements by the party. Once you join a party, you are bound by its discipline,” a senior BJP leader said.

“His attacks on Raghuram Rajan were not an issue for us. Rajan was a UPA appointee and it was decided much earlier that he will not get another term. Rajan was playing his own politics. Which RBI governor has written to the staff three months before his term ends? But CEA Arvind Subramanian and NITI Aayog VC Arvind Panagariya were appointed with Sangh’s nod and it was decided that their actions will not be criticised but now Swamy is attacking Subramanian,” a BJP office-bearer said.