Mani Shankar Aiyar's remarks against Narendra Modi show 'depression' within Congress about Lok Sabha polls: BJP

The main opposition BJP on Friday tore into Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar over his alleged remarks against Narendra Modi, saying that democracy would be strengthened if a former tea vendor succeeded in defeating dynastic politics.

While BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar described Aiyar as an "icon of cheap thinking", Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley, posted on his 'twitter.com' page that, "The strength of Indian democracy will be proved when a former tea vendor defeats a dynasty representative. Let this be the battle of 2014."

Aiyar, a Rajya Sabha MP, had earlier said that Modi would never become prime minister in the 21st century, but if he wanted to sell tea here, then Congress could find a place for him.

"His remarks show the depression within Congress regarding the upcoming elections... They know they are going to lose. All we can say is 'get well soon'," Javadekar said.

Also joining the attack was Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who said, "(Aiyar) is not going to make Modi the PM. We have not even asked for his vote. People of the country have made up their minds and that is evident from the support that Modi is getting across the country." BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi said that it would be claer after the polls as to who sells tea and who forms the government.