The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has seized upon recent remarks made by Congress veteran Mani Shankar Aiyar about former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to target the opposition party.
BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya shared a video excerpt of Aiyar’s interview on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “Let the veil be stripped.”
Rajiv Gandhi struggled academically, even failing at Cambridge, where passing is relatively easy. He then moved to Imperial College London but failed there as well…
Many questioned how someone with his academic record could become the Prime Minister.
Let the veil be stripped. pic.twitter.com/m9serSGQMs
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) March 5, 2025
In the video, Aiyar claimed that Rajiv Gandhi struggled academically, raising doubts about his ability to lead the country.
“When Rajiv Gandhi became the Prime Minister, I thought, how could a person who was an airline pilot and had failed twice become the Prime Minister? I studied with him at Cambridge University, where he had failed. Failing at Cambridge is very difficult because the university ensures that students at least pass. Despite that, Rajiv Gandhi failed,” Aiyar said.
He added:
“After that, he went to Imperial College London and failed there as well. Then I thought, how can such a person become the Prime Minister of the country?”**
Congress responds: Calls Aiyar a “frustrated individual”
Reacting to Aiyar’s remarks, the Indian National Congress dismissed his statements, with party leader Harish Rawat saying:
“I don’t want to comment on someone who is a frustrated individual. I knew Rajiv Gandhi, who gave India a modern outlook. He took concrete steps for the liberalization of the economy as well.”
Rawat also suggested that if the entire party had stood by Rajiv Gandhi, India’s history might have been different.
Aiyar: “My career was made and unmade by the Gandhis”
This controversy follows Aiyar’s statement about his strained relationship with the Gandhi family.
During an interview with PTI, Aiyar said:
“For 10 years, I was not given an opportunity to meet Sonia Gandhi one-on-one. I only had one meaningful interaction with Rahul Gandhi, and I spent time with Priyanka Gandhi only twice. Despite that, I remain in touch with them. The irony of my life is that my political career was made by the Gandhis and unmade by the Gandhis.”
Aiyar was a close aide of Rajiv Gandhi when he entered politics, alongside figures like Arun Nehru, Arun Singh, and Sam Pitroda.
Not Aiyar’s first controversy
This is not the first time Mani Shankar Aiyar has made controversial remarks:
Rajiv Gandhi struggled academically, even failing at Cambridge, where passing is relatively easy. He then moved to Imperial College London but failed there as well…
Many questioned how someone with his academic record could become the Prime Minister.
Let the veil be stripped. pic.twitter.com/m9serSGQMs
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) March 5, 2025
- In 1962, he said the Chinese “allegedly invaded India”, sparking outrage.
- In 2017, during the Gujarat Assembly elections, Aiyar made an objectionable remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, causing major electoral damage to Congress.
- Following this, the Congress suspended him from the party.
- In 2019, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Aiyar justified his remarks against Modi, reigniting the controversy.
- In 2014, he mocked Narendra Modi with his infamous “chaiwala” (tea seller) jibe, which the BJP used as a campaign tool, boosting Modi’s image.
Political Impact of Aiyar’s Statements
Aiyar’s remarks have often been used by the BJP to attack Congress. His latest statement on Rajiv Gandhi’s education has once again given the BJP an opportunity to question the party’s leadership.
Rajiv Gandhi struggled academically, even failing at Cambridge, where passing is relatively easy. He then moved to Imperial College London but failed there as well…
Many questioned how someone with his academic record could become the Prime Minister.
Let the veil be stripped. pic.twitter.com/m9serSGQMs
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) March 5, 2025
With elections approaching, will Aiyar’s statements impact Congress’ political prospects?
