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Congress leader and former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar has stoked yet another controversy by justifying his comment that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a neech aadmi.
Condemning the remarks, the BJP asked the Congress to respond. The Congress had suspended Aiyar in 2017 for his remarks and revoked the suspension in April, 2018.
Aiyar reiterated the comment in a newspaper column. “Modi will, in any case, be ousted by the people of India on May 23. 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?” asked Aiyar.
When asked about this, he said the media is trying to play a game based on one line in the article. “I am a fool, but not such a big fool,” he said adding that he will not get involved in the game.
Congress plays safe
The Congress distanced itself from the comments.
“I’m pushing for a new language in politics. Let’s fight each other brutally on issues. Let’s fight hard on ideology. But... let’s not use hatred and violence against each other,” Congress President Rahul Gandhi Tweeted.
Congress’ media in-charge Randeep Surjewala said it is not the party’s style to spread hatred and held the BJP responsible for vitiating the campaign atmosphere by going for personal attacks on opponents.
“We have seen how in the last five years, including in the current election, rage and revenge have blinded Narendra Modi in using completely unacceptable, downright insulting and abusive language against his political opponents,” Surjewala said.
BJP hits back
He said Modi lowered the prestige of the office of the Prime Minister.
“We completely reject and condemn the remarks of the likes of Mani Shankar Aiyar and every other person who is violating the time-tested principle of self discipline in political discourse, of mutual respect and adherence to ideas and ideology, and to give due regard even to your worst political enemy as was shown by Rahul Gandhi in Parliament,” he said.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh asked the Congress to respond to Aiyar’s recent remarks.
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