Aiyyar Barbs; Advantage BJP or Congress’s Counter Attack?

Delhi – Senior congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyyar created a storm in political circle by calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘Neech’, forcing Congress to take stern action against him. Rahul Gandhi scolded him through twitter, asked him to apologize and in later in the evening expelled him from the party. Doing so, he also pointed out the cultural difference between BJP and Congress.

As expected Narendra Modi, smart enough to give spin to everything in his favor, accused Aiyyar of calling his caste as ‘neech’ and portrayed Congress as anti-Dalit and anti-poor. He did not forget to warn Aiyyar and Congress that Guajarati people will give fitting reply to them. Clearly BJP is leaving no stone unturned to gain sympathy on this issue. This is not the first time that Aiyyar’s barbs have got his own party in trouble. One of the most remembered is his ‘Chiawala’ remark against BJP’s then prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. BJP and Modi used it to their maximum advantage. One of the most seasoned political leaders in India, Mani Shankar Aiyyar is no political novice; to be unable to understand the disadvantages he is bringing to the party he claimed to serve as freelancer.

So the question arises is that if Aiyyar is with BJP and this was a deliberate move by Aiyyar to bring Rahul in trouble and making roads easier for BJP? Recently, Aiyyar had targeted Rahul and Sonia Gandhi over Congress presidential elections. Congress leaders chose not to respond to his comments then. But situation is different now. After expelling Aiyyar from party, congressmen are citing different examples of BJP leaders, including top brass Modi and Amit Shah, having used filthy language against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Congress party. Congress is asking will BJP act against its own leaders. Even Congress knows the answer. BJP is less likely to act against likes of Modi and Shah, not even against second rung leaders like Paresh Rawal. So now the question is expulsion of Aiyyar should be looked as Congress’s damage control or counter attack on BJP?