Aiyar apologises on “Neech” remark after rap from Rahul

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, known for his controversial remarks like the 'chaiwala' jibe against Mr Narendra Modi in 2012, today courted another controversy when he called the premiere an uncultured man who practices dirty politics. Mr Ayar apologized after a rap from party vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Aiyar said, “Mujhko lagta hai ki ye aadmi bahut neech kisam ka aadmi hai, isme koi sabhyata nahi hai, or aise mauke par is kisam 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 practice such dirty politics) ?

The comments came after Mr Modi at a rally in Gujarat launched an attack on the nation's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Without naming Nehru, Mr Modi said, “Baba Saheb Ambedkar's contribution to nation building is very important. There had been attempts to undermine his role, but such attempts were unsuccessful.”The comments , however, earned him a rap from Mr Rahul Gandhi who said that he does not appreciate the tone and language used by Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar to address the PM and asked him to apologize for what he said.

'BJP and PM routinely use filthy language to attack the Congress party. The Congress has a different culture and heritage. I do not appreciate the tone and language used by Mr Mani Shankar Aiyer to address the PM. Both the Congress and I expect him to apologise for what he said,'Rahul said in a post on social media.

Soon ffter the rap from Rahul, Aiyar apologized for his remarks.'I meant low level when I said 'neech', I think in English when I speak in Hindi as Hindi is not my mother tongue. So if it has some other meaning, then I apologise,'Mr Aiyar told reporters.

Responding to criticism on his remarks, Mr Aiyar said,'why was PM taking a jibe at Congress and Rahul Gandhi at the inauguration of a Centre on Baba Saheb Ambedkar? Everyday PM is using foul language against our leaders. 'The Congress also condemned the remarks made by Mr Aiyar and asked that he apolgize .'The remarks made by Mr Aiyar are condemnable. He should apologise for using derogatory word,'AICC spokesperson Ajoy Kumar said.He said that the Congress vice-president had asked the party leaders to ensure that derogatory language was not used for political. 

'The Congress has never resorted to use of derogatory language for its opponents,'Mr Kumar said.Mr Kumar, however, urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to maintain the dignity of his post .'It does not behove the high post he holds that he spoke untruths about the late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's relations with Babasaheb Ambedkar. Infact, it was Pandit Nehru who sent Babasaheb to the Rajya Sabha after he lost the Lok Sabha elections.
The PM should not indulge in distortion of history,'Mr Kumar said.(UNI)