The Congress described Subramanian Swamy as the 'undeclared spokesperson' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (File photo)
The Congress today described BJP leader Subramanian Swamy as the 'undeclared spokesperson' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"A nominated member of Rajya Sabha with BJP's backing has launched a scathing attack on the Chief Economic Advisor of the Prime Minister, Arvind Subramanian and has described him as an agent of US Pharma companies. But the Prime Minister has not uttered a word on this issue," Congress spokesperson PL Punia said while addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi.
"Swamy has always attacked the political opponents and adversaries of the Prime Minister and Modi who has been speaking at length on various issues has never spoken on Swamy's statements. This shows that Subramanian Swamy is an unofficial spokesperson of Prime Minister Modi," Mr Punia said, asserting that Mr Swamy's attacks on people have suited PM Modi.
"Swamy is doing all this because he wants to be the country's Finance Minister," Mr Punia said insisting that the primary target of Mr Swamy's attack is Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
He added that PM Modi's silence "has encouraged the attacks on honest, credible and impartial officers who believe to work on merit."
"This government insults honest officials and discourages them from carrying out their duties," Mr Punia said.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh too attacked PM Modi and Mr Swamy.
"Subramanian Swamy now guns for Arvind Subramanian Economic Advisor to NDA. Target is Arun Jaitley not Arvind Subramanian," Mr Singh tweeted.
"Is Modi handing over Finance Ministry to Subramanian Swamy," asked Mr Singh.
"He (Swamy) has been claiming that PM has assured him as quid pro quo if he targeted the Nehru Gandhi Family," Mr Singh said.
Supporting Mr Singh's claims, Mr Punia asserted, "He never says anything without any basis or reason."