Sena backs Swamy, takes dig at BJP leadership

Mumbai, June 24: The Shiv Sena said on Friday,June 24 it appreciates the views of Subramanian Swamy and took a dig at BJP saying the party "cannot disown" his comments on the Chief Economic Advisor after having "used" him against the Gandhi family in the National Herald case.

Sena's support for Swamy comes amidst the exchange of words between him and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley over the former's demand for sacking of Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian.

"We have a feeling of attachment towards Swamy because he is famous for his stand on Hindutva and corruption. Sonia and Rahul Gandhi must be having nightmare of him. 2G spectrum and National Herald scams came to light because of his initiative, and, at that time the BJP used Swamy completely," the Sena said in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

"Now if Swamy is speaking some truth in his own way, the BJP cannot disown his comments saying they are his personal opinions," it said.

Taking a dig at Jaitley, Sena said that while he might be "clever and competent", a Finance minister cannot keep everybody happy at the same time. "The cracks that have developed due to corruption, inflation and black money cannot be easily plugged.

We do not know what did Swamy get by attacking two people related to the economy (Raghuram Rajan and Arvind Subramanian). But, he has good knowledge in this field," it said.

Taking on the Swamy episode and the rumblings it created in the BJP, Sena said that now nobody should ask it why does it attack the the NDA government despite being in power and whether such a course suits a ruling alliance partner.

PTI