Mani Shankar Aiyar’s recent comments on Rajiv Gandhi’s academic failures have caused unrest within the Congress party, with the BJP capitalizing on the situation. Aiyar’s remarks led to criticisms from Congress leaders, who defended Gandhi’s legacy and achievements. Aiyar’s willingness to mentor Rahul Gandhi was also noted amid their complicated dynamics.
In recent developments, Congress veteran Mani Shankar Aiyar has once again stirred controversy with his remarks about former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s academic failures at Cambridge and Imperial College, London. These comments have been leveraged by the ruling BJP, prompting Congress leaders to label Mr. Aiyar as “irrelevant and frustrated,” with one even describing him as a “sleeper cell of BJP.”
Aiyar’s statements have surfaced from an interview clip where he discusses Gandhi’s inability to succeed academically during his tenure at two significant educational institutions. He remarked, “He is a pilot. He has failed twice. I was with him at Cambridge. He failed there. And failing in Cambridge is very difficult.” This assertion questions how someone with such a background could ascend to the role of Prime Minister. However, the full context of his remarks was not adequately conveyed in the viral clip.
During the interview, when discussing Rahul Gandhi’s capacity to lead the Congress party, Aiyar elicited reflections upon former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, highlighting her initial struggles before her rise in politics. He acknowledged Rajiv Gandhi as an excellent Prime Minister despite his educational challenges, emphasizing the transformative potential he saw in the family’s political journey. “But I now say he was an excellent Prime Minister,” he commented.
Following the viral clip’s circulation, senior BJP leader Amit Malviya emphasized Gandhi’s academic struggles and raised questions about his qualifications for the role of Prime Minister. In response, Congress leaders criticized Aiyar for his frequent controversial remarks, with veteran Harish Rawat defending Rajiv Gandhi’s contributions, which he claims went unrecognized by some party members.
MP Tarique Anwar pointed out that failure is common, asserting that Gandhi was effective during his political tenure. He believes that Gandhi achieved significant milestones within a brief span as Prime Minister. When asked about mentoring Rahul Gandhi, Aiyar laughed, stating, “I have been ready to mentor him for 20 years. He does not want it. He dislikes me.”
The remarks by Mani Shankar Aiyar regarding Rajiv Gandhi’s academic failures have sparked political controversy, revealing internal tensions within the Congress party and providing ammunition for the ruling BJP. Despite Aiyar’s critical comments, other Congress leaders defended Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure as Prime Minister. Looking ahead, Aiyar has expressed a willingness to guide Rahul Gandhi, albeit with the acknowledgment of their strained relationship.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
