Mani Shankar Aiyar has once again plunged headfirst into controversy. His recent remarks on the 1962 India-China war have drawn sharp criticism from the BJP. His unfortunate comment highlights a persistent pattern: left-leaning liberals and Congress leaders frequently step into controversies with unthinking public comments! After Sam Pitroda’s Wealth Redistribution and ugly racial profiling remarks, Aiyar’s latest gaffe has handed the BJP another opportunity to accuse Congress of having an “anti-India” mindset. Consequently, Congress is scrambling to distance itself from yet another verbal misstep by one of its own. Let’s explore!
Mani Shankar Aiyar and His China Remarks: Fuel for BJP’s Fire
In a press conference, Mani Shankar Aiyar remarked on the 1962 Indo-Sino aggression. Here he used the words ‘alleged’ in connection to the Chinese invasion of Bharat’s soil. The word seemed a desperate bid to cover up the Nehruvian blunder for which Bharat continues to pay a heavy cost.
Guess what Dhiren Bhagat said about Mani Shankar Aiyer? ‘In 1962 China invaded India and while we (ineffectually) fought the yellow bastards ..this privileged asshole romped about… raising money for the Chinese. Now we know why! pic.twitter.com/WSW6RCS4Uh
— Shefali Vaidya. 🇮🇳 (@ShefVaidya) May 29, 2024
While Aiyar tries to play hide-n-seek with the truth of 1962, Congress continues to suspect the actions of the Indian army in Galwan and Balakot.
Moreover, the CON party is in the process of conning the naive into thinking that any of the land is the BJP administration’s fault!! Consequently, Aiyar’s remark has benefitted the BJP’s counter on the subject.
The BJP spokesperson Gaurab Bhatia lambasted Mani Shankar Aiyar for his comment on the 1962 war. Calling it an “attack on the integrity of India” and an “insult to every soldier who sacrificed their life for the tricolor”, the leader has rightly questioned the CON party’s intent in spreading false narratives. Also, he has questioned the silence of senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge on the issue. The BJP insinuates that the lack of response is a tacit approval of the CON party Yuvraaj!
Congress’s Predictable Evasion
#WATCH | Delhi: On Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's remark, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh says, "Who is Mani Shankar Aiyar? He is not an official, he is a former MP and a former minister. He speaks whatever he wants in his personal capacity. We have nothing to do with it…… pic.twitter.com/KGlzLxcQP6
— ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2024
Congress, predictably, distanced itself from Mani Shankar Aiyar’s remarks. Jairam Ramesh stated that Aiyar spoke in his “personal capacity.” Additionally, the party that speaks of respect and unity has designated Aiyar to the status of ‘merely a former MP’! The minister’s words were excused by the CON party by emphasizing that he is not an official representative of the party.
Pawan Khera labeled the remark a “slip of the tongue.”
Consequently, Aiyar was forced to apologize for his ill-thought-of words.
However, the BJP continues to leverage the incident. As a senior leader and a former Minister, it is using Mani Shankar Aiyar’s words as evidence of Congress’s anti-national sentiments. The party is suggesting that Aiyar’s remarks show the general mindset of the CON party.
Mani Shankar Aiyar: A Gift To The BJP!!
Mani Shankar Aiyar’s track record of controversial statements is extensive. From calling Narendra Modi a “chaiwala” to his great respect for Pakistani bombs, Aiyar seems to have a knack for creating political headaches for his party. Each misstep provides the BJP with ample ammunition to attack Congress and frame it as a party disconnected from national sentiments.
However, Mani Shankar Aiyar’s latest blunder may cost the party more than it bargained for! It not only underscores the thought process within the top leaders of the party. It also highlights the CON party’s struggle to manage its narrative amidst frequent gaffes by its members.
The BJP capitalizes on these moments to strengthen its nationalist credentials.
Thus, Congress is left to perform damage control.
In distancing itself from Aiyar’s remarks, Congress attempts to salvage its image. Yet every third day a leader either leaves the party or an incident occurs to deepen the perception of a party plagued by anti-national ideology! As the BJP continues to ride the Saffron wave in the nation, the Congress is struggling for relevance. Bad ideological stances, loose-cannon leaders, and incoherent economic policies are ensuring that Congress perpetually walks into the jaws of controversy. Let’s hope the people of Bharat notice these leaks in the think-tank of Congress and its implied meaning! As this Aiyar episode winds down, it leaves the struggling CON party with another narrative to deny for survival!
