Hanumantha Rao asks for Mani Shankar Aiyar to be expelled

Yet another controversial remark by Mani Shankar Aiyar has given fresh jitters to the Congress, prompting senior leader Hanumantha Rao to seek his expulsion from the party.

In the latest faux pas, Aiyar said that while most political parties in Pakistan want cordial relations with India, those in India are still caught in a partially 1947 situation. "All political parties, except the Jamaat-e-Islami, say they want peace with India. This change in mindset, that is taking place in Pakistan, is not reflected in India,"Aiyar said.

"Mani Shankar Aiyar should stop making such remarks. He has already been suspended. He should stay quiet," said Rao. He is worried that Aiyar's remarks could damage the party's prospects in Karnataka, where Assembly elections are due. "The BJP can take advantage of this...," said Rao.