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'Chaiwala' redux! Mani Shankar Aiyar scores 'neech' self-goal

Cong suspends Aiyar; Modi calls it an insult to Guj

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(Right) Mani Shankar Aiyar; (Left) Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a rally in Gujarat
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In what is being widely regarded as "self goal-II" (the first being his 2014 description of the then leading prime ministerial candidate as a "chaiwala"), senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar on Thursday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "neech" (low), drawing sharp reaction from the target himself and attracting a suspension from the primary membership of a nervous Congress.

The Congress media cell head, Randeep Singh Surjewala, announced the suspension in a tweet, while asking the BJP to show similar "courage" against its leaders who make personal remarks against political rivals. "This is the Congress leadership's Gandhian philosophy and a sense of respect towards the Opposition. Will Modi ever show this courage?" he asked, in a rather weak 'defensive' offence.

Meanwhile, PM Modi, who was in Surat at the time, portrayed Aiyar's comments as an insult to Gujarat. "Mani Shankar Aiyar today said I belong to 'neech' caste, I am 'neech' (vile). This is an insult to Gujarat. Gujarat will reply," he said at an election rally.

The PM further said: "Congress leaders have been so depressed that they have dropped to a new level in public discourse and are using words that are unfit for democracy. A Congress leader from a family where everyone is highly educated and a minister in the Manmohan Singh government, Aiyar said Modi is from a 'neech jati' (low caste). Congress had earlier called me donkey. People of Gujarat will take revenge by casting their votes for the BJP and the result will be evident on December 18."

"Yes, I am from a poor section of the society and will spend every moment of my life working for the poor, Dalits, Tribals, and OBC communities. This is Mughal mentality. They can call me 'neech', but I will keep doing 'oonche' (high) work," Modi said.

BJP chief Amit Shah, who was also campaigning in Gujarat, said: "Yamraj, maut ka saudagar, Ravan, gandi nali ka keeda, monkey, rabies victim, virus, Bhasmasur, Gangu Teli, goon — these are some of the words and phrases the Congress has used for PM Modi in the past. Not much has changed. We wish them well. We will continue to serve 125 crore Indians."

Meanwhile, Congress party president-elect Rahul Gandhi rapped Aiyar for using such language. "Congress and I expect him to apologise for what he said," he tweeted, adding: "I do not appreciate the tone and language used by Aiyar to address the prime minister." Gandhi, however, added that the BJP and PM Modi routinely use filthy language to attack the Congress.

"The Congress has a different culture and heritage," Rahul said. Congress general secretary and Gujarat in-charge Ashok Gehlot said Aiyar's comment against the PM was unfortunate and he condemned it.

Commenting on the inauguration of Ambedkar Bhavan in Delhi by the PM, Aiyer had said: "Yeh aadmi bahut neech kism ka aadmi hai. Ismein koi sabhyata nahi hai, aur aise mauke par is kism ki gandi rajniti karne ki kya avashyakta hai? (This man is a low-life person, he isn't cultured. At this moment, why does he need to practise such dirty politics?)."

He attacked Modi after the latter accused the Congress of seeking votes in B R Ambedkar's name but trying to erase his contribution towards building India. While inaugurating the Ambedkar International Centre here, the PM hit out at the Congress. "Such was his (Ambedkar's) incredible strength that when years after his demise, efforts were made by such people to crush his philosophy, his ideals could not be wiped out from people's memory," Modi said.

Soon after Rahul's tweets, Aiyar clarified that his statement was lost in translation. He said he was not aware of the nuances and different interpretations of the word 'neech'. "I never meant low-born. In English, there is clear distinction between low and low-born. The meaning that Modi is drawing out of this is not my concern. If it means low-born, I apologise."

A few days ago, Aiyar had kicked up a political row by comparing the imminent elevation of Gandhi to succession under the Mughals. Responding to Shehzad Poonawalla's "dynastic politics" remark, Aiyar said the Congress leader from Maharashtra was free to contest against Gandhi.

"When Shah Jahan came in the place of Jahangir, was there an election? When Aurangzeb came in place of Shah Jahan, was there an election? No. It was known to everyone that the throne of the emperor will automatically go to the king's heir. But in Congress, throne comes through a proper election process." The PM, however, latched on to his Mughal analogy and panned Congress for toeing Aurangzeb.

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