Mani Shankar Aiyar Defies Congress After Party Distances Itself Over Kerala Election Comments
In a dramatic escalation of internal tensions, veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar launched a scathing counterattack on Monday after the party officially dissociated itself from his remarks predicting a victory for the rival Left front in the upcoming Kerala elections. The controversy erupted when Aiyar, attending a function organized by the Kerala government, publicly stated that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is likely to secure another term.
The Initial Spark: Aiyar's Controversial Prediction
The issue flared up on Sunday when Aiyar, while speaking in Thiruvananthapuram, made comments that directly contradicted the Congress party's official stance. "As a Congressman, I want the UDF to win. As a Gandhian, I am obliged to tell the truth, irrespective of what I wish," Aiyar declared. He emphasized, "I am not a voter in Kerala, but I think he (Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan) is going to get another term."
This public endorsement of the political opposition prompted an immediate response from the Congress party. Spokesman Pawan Khera swiftly issued a statement clarifying that Aiyar has been writing and speaking in a personal capacity for the past several years. Khera's post on social media platform X was corroborated by senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, reinforcing the party's official dissociation from Aiyar's remarks.
Aiyar's Fiery Retort and Leadership Critique
Undeterred by the party's public rebuke, Aiyar responded with a bitter and personal attack on Congress leadership the following day. He asserted, "The Nehru-Gandhi family is built into the DNA of every Congressman. Why should anyone be in Congress when all of Rahul Gandhi's friends have departed for other shores?"
Aiyar made his loyalty clear while simultaneously criticizing the current state of the party. "It's only because if you don't believe in the leadership of the Nehru-Gandhi family, you would not be in Congress," he stated, adding defiantly, "I am in Congress, I have not left it. If Pawan Khera is going to expel me, I will happily go outside and kick his backside."
In remarks that further highlighted the generational divide within the party, Aiyar declared, "I am Rajivian (Rajiv Gandhi), not Rahulian (Rahul Gandhi)," suggesting his allegiance lies with the legacy of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi rather than current leader Rahul Gandhi. He went even further, stating that he does not need Congress just as the party does not need him, while also criticizing other Congress members at both national and Kerala state levels.
History of Controversy and Potential Consequences
This is not the first time Aiyar has created embarrassment for the Congress party with his outspoken remarks about politicians and political matters. His history of controversial statements includes a particularly damaging barb directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the 2017 Gujarat assembly elections, which resulted in Congress suspending him in December 2017. That suspension was eventually revoked in August 2018 after nearly nine months.
The current situation raises questions about whether Congress will take disciplinary action against Aiyar once again. Sources within the party indicated that as of late afternoon on Monday, there had been no formal discussion about potential measures against the veteran leader. The party faces a delicate balancing act between maintaining discipline and managing internal dissent from a longstanding member with deep historical connections to the Congress legacy.
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions within the Congress party as it navigates electoral challenges in Kerala while managing internal disagreements among its senior members. The public nature of this dispute, with both sides airing their differences openly, underscores the challenges facing India's principal opposition party as it prepares for crucial state elections.
