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Mani Shankar Aiyar claimed that the Gandhis played a part in his elevation and his subsequent marginalisation within the grand-old party.
Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar (PTI)
Veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar reflected on his long-standing yet limited interactions with the Gandhi family and expressed the irony of his political journey, claiming that his political career has been made and unmade by the Gandhis.
In an interview with news agency PTI, the 83-year-old leader claimed that the Gandhis played a part in his elevation and his subsequent marginalisation within the grand-old party.
“So, the irony of my life is that my political career was made by the Gandhis and unmade by the Gandhis. And I take it that this is what happens,” he said.
EXCLUSIVE | VIDEO: “For 10 years, I was not given an opportunity to meet Sonia Gandhi one-on-one. I was not given an opportunity, except once, of spending any meaningful time with Rahul Gandhi. And I have not spent time with Priyanka except on one occasion, no, two occasions. She… pic.twitter.com/A40wVsV0vd— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 15, 2024
Aiyar, known for his controversial statements has further said that aside from one or two occasions, he had limited meaningful interactions with key members of the Gandhi family over the years.
“For 10 years, I was not given an opportunity to meet Sonia Gandhi one-on-one. I was not given an opportunity, except once, of spending any meaningful time with Rahul Gandhi. And I have not spent time with Priyanka except on one occasion, no, two occasions,” he said.
Aiyar further said that Priyanka Gandhi has occasionally called him on the phone, which has kept some level of contact alive. During the conversation, he recalled an incident where had conveyed the birthday wishes to Rahul Gandhi via Priyanka Gandhi during a period when Aiyar was suspended from the party.
When Priyanka Gandhi asked why he wasn’t talking to Rahul Gandhi himself, he replied, “I am suspended and therefore I can’t talk to my leader.”
Aiyar also voiced his criticism of the party’s decision to appoint Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister in 2004, arguing that Pranab Mukherjee should have been chosen instead. Aiyar claimed that this choice played a significant role in Congress’s electoral defeat in 2014 general elections.
Aiyar shared his thoughts, asserting that Pranab Mukherjee should have led the UPA-II government, while Manmohan Singh could have been elevated to the office of President of India when the position became vacant in 2012.
Aiyar also criticised the handling of key issues, such as corruption allegations and the Commonwealth Games scandal, which also tarnished the UPA government’s image. The mismanagement of the Anna Hazare movement, in particular, was a turning point, he added.
(With inputs from PTI)
