New Delhi: Mani Shankar Aiyar The Congress on Monday distanced itself from BR Ambedkar after the former Union minister praised the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government in Kerala ahead of the Assembly polls.In an interview with ANI news agency, Aiyar said Rahul Gandhisaid he was a Gandhian but not a “Rahulite”.Quoting Ambedkar’s biography A Part Apart, Aiyar said, “There is a biography of Dr. Ambedkar that says ‘One part, but apart’.” So that’s the only thing I can say. Mr. Rahul Gandhi has forgotten that I am a party member, therefore I am a Gandhian, I am a Nehruvian, I am a Rajite, but I am not a Rahulite. ““I am here Congress PartyI haven’t left yet. If Pawan Khera were to evict me, I would happily walk outside and kick him in the back after I leave. ” he added.Aiyar also said he had “disrespect and complete contempt” for Pawan Khera.“Do you think the people of Kerala don’t know what is going on with the Congress leadership? At least the Pinarayi government has discipline. They don’t have Mani Shankar Aiyar. I am Mani Shankar Aiyar because Nehru was a rebel of Gandhi and Subhas Bose was a rebel of Gandhi. Yet Gandhi appointed Jawaharlal Nehru as Prime Minister of India. If Subhas Bose had survived the air crash on August 17, 1945 Year, I am sure he will become the President of India. So, how is the Congress handling it now? They have people like Pawan Hera as the official spokesperson,” said Mani Shankar Aiyar.He also described Pawan Khera as a “puppet” who would only repeat what party MP Jairam Ramesh told him. He said Keira was not a spokesperson but a “parrot”.“I want you to send a message to Pawan Khera. He is in alliance with MA Baby in Delhi and he is upset that I am in alliance with him. Pinarayi Vijayan here. What kind of congressman is he? Most importantly, how stupid can a political party be by having Pawan Khera as its spokesperson? There are a million people in Congress who could be better speakers. This guy is just a puppet and he will say whatever Jairam Ramesh tells him. He repeats the same thing, he is not a spokesman, he is a parrot,” Aiyar said.Aiyar also lashed out at Congress general secretary KC Venugopal and said: “Can you imagine a party elevating a rowdy like KC Venugopal to the level of Sardar Patel, Rahul Gandhi? That’s the answer I need to say.”Earlier on Sunday, Aiyar sparked fresh controversy when he praised Vijayan and expressed hope that the Left government would return in the upcoming parliamentary elections.Addressing an international seminar titled ‘Vision 2031: Development and Democracy’, Aiyar asked Vijayan to “take up the baton dropped by the Congress party”.“I don’t know if it’s a compliment or an insult, but I deeply regret the absence of my party colleagues from this event, which is a state occasion and therefore a national occasion. While Kerala is the first Panchayati state in practice, it is only second in law,” Aiyar said.“So, in the presence of the Chief Minister (who I am sure will continue to serve), I make another plea – to strengthen the position of Kerala as the best Panchayatiraj state in the country. Therefore, Chief Minister Vijayan, I must fall at your feet and request you to take up the baton dropped by the Congress party. Thank you and may Kerala prosper,” he added.Aiyar’s remarks did not go down well with the party. Congress spokesperson Hera tried to distance herself from the party’s remarks, saying Aiyar had no links with the Congress in the past few years.Hera said in a post on X that Aiyar “speaks and writes purely in a personal capacity.”“Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar has no association with the Congress party for the past few years. He speaks and writes purely in his personal capacity,” Hera said.Congress general secretary for communications Jairam Ramesh also refuted Aiyar’s remarks and said the United Democratic Front (UDF) will return to power in Kerala.“There is no doubt. The people of Kerala will bring back the United Democratic Front for more responsible and active governance. They also know that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are secret partners,” he said.
