Hurting hearts is not an art

Modi won't be PM, can sell tea here: Aiyar

TNN | Jan 18, 2014, 03.11 AM IST


NEW DELHI: Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar on Friday caused a political storm by ridiculing Gujarat CM Narendra Modi's PM candidature and commenting on his humble origins as a tea vendor. Speaking on the sidelines of the AICC session, Aiyar said Modi would never become PM but if he wanted to sell tea, he could do that at the meet.

"I give my word, Modi will never be PM in the 21st century ... but if he wants to sell tea here (AICC meet), we can arrange for it," Aiyar said.

The comment drew sharp criticism.While BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy said nothing better could be expected from Aiyar, Arun Jaitley said, "The strength of Indian democracy will be proved when a former tea vendor defeats a dynasty representative. Let this be the battle of 2014."


Interestingly, later in the day, Aiyar had his share of uplifting moments when Rahul Gandhi heaped praise on him for implementing his father's ideas of panchayati raj. Addressing the IACC session, Rahul singled out Aiyar asking forcefully, "Where is Mani Shankar Aiyar?" He then went on to praise the 72-year-old for his effort in strengthening panchayati raj, a cause that Rahul said was close to the heart of his father, Rajiv Gandhi.