Raghuram Rajan on taking up a seat in Rajya Sabha: 'I am an academic, not a politician'

Raghuram Rajan also said that his discussions with political leaders from different parties were more to do with exchanging views over the existing economic situation in India.

Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan has issued a clarification over taking up a seat in the Rajya Sabha and representing a political party, saying that he was an academic and not a politician.

Writing on LinkedIn on Friday, Rajan said that he had not held any discussions about taking up a seat in Upper House of Parliament and did not look at himself as a politician.

"There has been some speculation in the press about my recent meetings and a Rajya Sabha seat. I have not discussed a Rajya Sabha seat with any party. I am an academic, not a politician," Rajan wrote.

The 60-year-old also said that his discussions with political leaders from different parties were more to do with exchanging views over the existing economic situation in India.

"My meetings with politicians from different parties typically involve an exchange in views about the current economic situation in India, and their hopes for the future," he added.

Rajan had met former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and his family at the latter's residence in Mumbai on Tuesday. Thackeray's son Aaditya Thackeray  had posted a photo with Rajan and said it was "truly a delight" to have met the former RBI Governor.

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A post shared by Aaditya Thackeray (@adityathackeray)

Rajan's new book "Breaking the Mould: Reimagining India’s Economic Future" released in December 2023.

In a podcast in December, Rajan had said that parts of the Indian economy was first world and those living in Gurgoan and Noida were operating in a first world economy.