Swamy attacks Shaktikanta Das over Chennai ‘land deal’

NEW DELHI: BJP leader Subramanian Swamy launched another attack on economic affairs secretary Shaktikanta Das on Tuesday, tweeting the link to an article alleging Das’ involvement in a controversial land deal in Chennai.

On Monday, Swamy retweeted one of his followers, who quoted an article to claim, “#ShaktikantaDas approved dubious land-deal in TN whr Investment $37M, Subsidy given $56.2M. (sic)” But on Tuesday, Swamy decided to step up the heat on Das. “Shaktikanta Das involvement in a controversial land deal in Chennai, 100 acres allotted at a pittance,” he tweeted.

Throughout June, Swamy hogged the headlines with a barrage of criticism directed at Reserve Bank of India governor Raghuram Rajan, chief economic adviser Arvind Subramanian and Shaktikanta Das. The allegations even prompted the government to come out in defence of the senior officials, with finance minister Arun Jaitley calling Swamy’s attack “unfair and false”.

Last month, the BJP leader tried to corner Das over another property related issue in Mahabalipuram.

Swamy’s earlier attacks, dragging Das’ name into some real estate deal, earned him none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s disapproval. When asked about Swamy’s attacks on senior government officials, Modi told a TV channel barely a week ago: “If anybody considers himself above the system, it is wrong. This fondness for publicity is never going to do any good to the nation.”

@Swamy39 #ShaktikantaDas approved dubious landdeal in TN whr Investment $37M, Subsidy given $56.2M. (sic) Shaktikanta Das involvement in a controversial land deal in Chennai, 100 acres allotted at a pittance.