In Shimla, Mani Shankar Aiyar says 'I am a fool, but not that big a fool'
NEW DELHI/SHIMLA: Just when it sought to douse the controversy Rahul Gandhi’s adviser Sam Pitroda set off by
seeming to make light of the killings of Sikhs in 1984
, Congress found itself dealing with a row started by party veteran Mani Shankar Aiyar .
In Shimla, Aiyar lost his cool when asked about his article that appeared on Tuesday
justifying “neech aadmi” slur he had used for Prime Minister Narendra Modi for which he was suspended from the party in 2017. Although he was reinstated, the former Union minister had so far maintained a low profile.
Read also: PM Narendra Modi targets Congress over Mani Shankar Aiyar’s ‘neech’ remark
Aiyar, whose “Chaiwala” jibe at Narendra Modi, then BJP’s PM candidate, turned into one of the defining themes of the 2014 polls, said it was just one line in his article and he will “not get involved in media’s games”. “Me ullu hun, lekin itna bada ullu nahin
Read also: PM Narendra Modi targets Congress over Mani Shankar Aiyar’s ‘neech’ remark
Aiyar, whose “Chaiwala” jibe at Narendra Modi, then BJP’s PM candidate, turned into one of the defining themes of the 2014 polls, said it was just one line in his article and he will “not get involved in media’s games”. “Me ullu hun, lekin itna bada ullu nahin
(I am a fool, but not that big a fool),” he said.
Justifying his “neech aadmi” comment, Aiyar said in his article, “Modi will, in any case, be ousted by the people of India on 23 May. That would be a fitting end to the most foul-mouthed prime minister this country has seen or is likely to see. Remember how I described him on 7 December 2017? Was I not prophetic?”
Questioned about the revived controversy, Aiyar claimed anything he said was always misused because there were people who hated him. He also accused the media of promoting selective quotes that “ suits them”.
Justifying his “neech aadmi” comment, Aiyar said in his article, “Modi will, in any case, be ousted by the people of India on 23 May. That would be a fitting end to the most foul-mouthed prime minister this country has seen or is likely to see. Remember how I described him on 7 December 2017? Was I not prophetic?”
Questioned about the revived controversy, Aiyar claimed anything he said was always misused because there were people who hated him. He also accused the media of promoting selective quotes that “ suits them”.
“The present form of politics will end on May 23, and we can move on. If we have to march ahead on the path of democracy, then we will have to return to the era of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru,” he told mediapersons here.
About his remark, he said that Congress spokesperson had given the official statement. Media remained suppressed under the present government so he was being cautious as earlier he had become a victim because of it and suffered, the Congress leader said.
Attacking mediapersons again, he added, “ Aaj aap log madhumakhi jaise hain, jahan kuch shehad ho wahan pahunch jaate ho. To mujhko barbad karke aaj, aap kal kahin kisi aur phul par pahunch jaoge
(you people are like honeybee. Today you will ruin me and tomorrow you reach to someone else).”
“Anything I say is always misused because there are people who hate me. And they hate me because I tell the truth and I will go on telling the truth about people,” he added.
He said that Jawahar Lal Nehru as Prime Minister had sent the opposition leader like Atal Bihari Vajpayee to the United Nations to represent India in national interest. “I don’t think that the present Prime Minister or government can think like that for the opposition leaders. Thank god in 10 days we would be able to see the end of current situation. Then you meet me and I will meet you smilingly. You can see my smile,” he told mediapersons.
“Anything I say is always misused because there are people who hate me. And they hate me because I tell the truth and I will go on telling the truth about people,” he added.
He said that Jawahar Lal Nehru as Prime Minister had sent the opposition leader like Atal Bihari Vajpayee to the United Nations to represent India in national interest. “I don’t think that the present Prime Minister or government can think like that for the opposition leaders. Thank god in 10 days we would be able to see the end of current situation. Then you meet me and I will meet you smilingly. You can see my smile,” he told mediapersons.
Meanwhile, in damage control mode, the Congress condemned Aiyar for his words on Modi, but blamed the BJP leader for “debasing the discourse” to the extent that public speech has become abusive.
AICC spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, “When the PM uses insulting remarks for Sonia Gandhi in poll rallies, is that the decorum that is followed in our political discourse.” Modi should answer about the “abuses and insults” he has hurled on Jawaharlal Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi, he said.
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