'I Am Nehruvian, Rajivian, But Not Rahulian': Mani Shankar Aiyar Slams Congress Leadership, Brings Infighting Into Open

New Delhi: Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has been known for his controversial statements, but on Monday, his remarks made the party uncomfortable. While he predicted Pinarayi Vijayan's re-election as Chief Minister of Kerala, he also took a dig at Rahul Gandhi, saying he was a "Gandhian, a Nehruvian, and a Rajivian, but not a Rahulian". He taunted Rahul Gandhi, saying he had forgotten that Aiyar was a member of the party. Aiyar also quoted from Dr. Ambedkar's biography. Today, K.C. Venugopal holds such a significant responsibility. A man like Pawan Khera has been appointed the party's official spokesperson. How could the party commit such a grave folly? He is merely a puppet.

What did Mani Shankar Aiyar say?

 “There is a biography of Dr Ambedkar which says ‘a part but apart.’ So that’s the only thing I can say. Mr Rahul Gandhi has forgotten that I am a member of the party, and therefore I am a Gandhian, I am a Nehruvian, I am a Rajivian, but I am not a Rahulian. Can you imagine the state of the Congress party? A person like KC Venugopal has been given the responsibility that Sardar Patel once held," Aiyar said.

Aiyar also threw his weight behind Communist Party leader and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections. "As a Congress leader, I would like the UDF to win and come to power. But as a Gandhian, I would say that Pinarayi Vijayan can return to power. The people of Kerala are appreciating his work. I don't want to lie," he said.

"Who would want to vote for a party where leaders are fighting among themselves, ready to slit each other's throats? Isn't the public aware of these things?" he added.

Mani Shankar Aiyar said that there was a time when Congress, too, accepted different views. "Do you think the people of Kerala don't know what is happening in Congress leadership? At least in Pinarayi's government there is discipline. They have no Mani Shankar Aiyars. I am Mani Shankar Aiyar because Nehru was a rebel against Gandhi, Subhash Bose was a rebel against Gandhi. Yet Gandhi made Jawaharlal Nehru the PM of India. If Subhas Bose had survived the aircrash on August 17, 1945, I am certain he would have been the President of India.So, that is how they dealt with dissidence. How does the present Congress deal with it?"

What did Mani Shankar Aiyar say on Pawan Khera?

He said that leaders like Pawan Khera are the official spokespersons of the Congress party today. This explains the state of the Congress party these days. He said that Pawan Khera should be asked why he has animosity towards Pinarayi Vijayan in Kerala and a friendship with him in Delhi. The former MP said that Pawan Khera is merely a puppet. He says only what Jairam Ramesh tells him. He is not a spokesperson but a parrot.

"They put somebody like Pawan Khera as the official spokesman. I have absolutely no respect and complete contempt for Pawan Khera. I want you to send a message to Pawan Khera. He has allied with MA Baby in Delhi and he is getting upset about my being allied with Pinarayi Vijayan here. What kind of Congressi is he? Above all, how stupid can a party be than to make Pawan Khera the spokesman? There are a million people in Congress who would make a better spokesman. This chap is just a puppet, he is saying whatever Jairam Ramesh tells him. He repeats the same thing, he is not a spokesman, he is a parrot," Aiyar said.

“I am in the Congress party, I haven’t left it. If Pawan Khera is going to expel me, I will happily go outside and kick his backside after I have left,” he added.

He also praised Tamil Nadu leader MK Stalin. He said that Stalin did not use slogans like "suit-boot ki sarkar" or "vote chor gaddi chhod" (vote thieves leaving the throne). He raised important issues and formed the government. Furthermore, Iyer said that if any leader should become the president of the India Block, it should be MK Stalin.