Mani Shankar Aiyar calls Rajiv Gandhi "two-time failure," triggers controversy
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has sparked controversy by calling former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi a "two-time failure" in academics, referring to his time at Cambridge University and Imperial College London.
In a video shared by BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya, Aiyar is heard expressing surprise at Rajiv Gandhi’s rise to power. "I was very surprised when he became Prime Minister. I thought, he is an airline pilot who failed at Cambridge. It is very difficult to fail at Cambridge because the university ensures that everyone at least passes to maintain its reputation. But Rajiv Gandhi failed. Then he went to Imperial College and failed there too. So I wondered, how could such a person become Prime Minister?" he said.
His remarks have drawn criticism from within the Congress, with some party members accusing him of damaging the party's image. Congress MP Tariq Anwar downplayed the comments, stating that academic failures do not define political success. "Failing is not a big deal; even the best people fail sometimes. But Rajiv Gandhi did not fail in politics. He introduced Panchayati Raj, brought the IT revolution, improved communication, and promoted scientific progress. Very few Prime Ministers have achieved so much in just five years," he said.
Congress national spokesperson Charan Singh Sapra accused Aiyar of aligning with the BJP’s political narrative. "For years, his remarks have only harmed Congress. His statements suggest he is working as a tool for the BJP to spread propaganda," Sapra alleged.
Aiyar, who was once a close associate of Rajiv Gandhi, has made controversial remarks in the past that have put him at odds with the party leadership. He has previously credited the Gandhi family for both "making and ending" his political career.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
