Institutes are being targeted, says Opposition
Patel's resignation becomes political issue.
New Delhi: The Congress on Monday accused the government of “assaulting democratic institutions” after the resignation of the governor of Reserve Bank of India Urjit Patel.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi said, “In the middle of the meeting we were told that the BJP, RSS agenda is progressing and that RBI governor has resigned. What is happening that the government is getting desperate, RBI governor is not able to function?”
Within minutes of Mr Patel announcing his resignation, the Congress tweeted, “Another one bites the dust. This is the result of our chowkidar’s assault on democratic institutions.”
The Congress accused the government of packing the central bank’s board with handpicked nominees and making every attempt to push through its proposals.
Former finance minister Yashwant Sinha said, “Quite clearly the resignation of Urjit Patel shows that nothing has changed ... Things are quite as bad as they were before. The resignation is a clear sign of the government trying to interfere with the working of the RBI.”
While another former finance minister, P. Chidambaram said that he is saddened, not surprised, by RBI governor Urjit Patel’s resignation. Mr Chidambaram further added that it’s good that the RBI governor “quit before another humiliating meeting”.
Referring to chaos in the CBI and Urjit Patel’s resignation, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said, “From the CBI to RBI, institutions have become total disasters; it is matter of great shock.” She further alleged alleged “financial stability is not there... financial emergency has started.”
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal also expressed shock at the resignation. He tweeted, “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. (syc.)”