Rahul must be made Congress chief, Sonia can become 'mentor': Aiyar


New Delhi, Mar 22 (PTI): Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has strongly pitched for making Rahul Gandhi the party president at a time when questions are being raised over his leadership abilities after the UP poll drubbing.

He advocated a role of a mentor for party president Sonia Gandhi and asserted that the Congress has to move from being an inclusive party to setting up "an inclusive alliance".

Amid calls for radical changes by the Congres leaders following massive electoral defeats in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Aiyar told PTI, "I am hoping that the de facto leadership of the Congress which has been in his hands for some months, becomes a de jure leadership and that will enable him to carry out his intentions of democratising the party."

The 75-year-old Congress leader also hoped that Rahul's elevation should "happen soon."

Rahul Gandhi's leadership has been under the scanner following the party's repeated losses in elections.

While Senior Congressman Digvijaya Singh had recently said Rahul was not acting decisively, Kerala Youth Congress Vice President C R Mahesh has asked Rahul to "quit", if he does not want to lead the party from the front.

Senior party leaders like M Veerappa Moily and Satyavrat Chaturvedi have also pitched for initiating changes and "surgery" within the party to infuse fresh strength into it.

Asked what is stopping the Congress from implementing the 'introspection reports' which suggest changes in the party, he said, "I don't know, I therefore think, it is time Rahul got on with it as he has said he wishes to do. And perhaps, it is because he has not been the president, that he has not been able to do this."

On Sonia's role in the party when Rahul is anointed president, Aiyar said, "I expect her to play the role of Lee Kuan Yew, first mentor."

"I hope her health is good enough. So, she would be available as the most important mentor that the Congress party has and let Rahul Gandhi, who still, for at least a few years, belongs to the generation that constitutes about 70 per cent of our population" become the part president, the former union minister said.

Asked if the Congress should change its strategy and declare a prime ministerial candidate before 2019 polls, Aiyar said, "I am sure the alliance will project somebody (as the Prime Ministerial candidate) and lets see who that somebody is. I hope it will be Rahul Gandhi."

Aiyar, who has been advocating a 'grand alliance' to challenge the BJP in 2019, asserted that the time has come to "explicitly work" over the next two years in the direction of as large an alliance as possible.

However, he also made it clear that in case of a formation of such a coalition, no one should insist on the name of a particular leader as that may sabotage the process.

Asked if the 'Bihar model' needs to be replicated at the national level, Aiyar answered in the affirmative.

"Certainly in terms of a Mahagatbandhan but the Congress is the 10th ally in Tamil Nadu, the third ally in Bihar and the second ally in UP. So where the Congress fits onto all this is a matter of negotiation which cannot be prejudged," he said.

On recently-concluded assembly polls, Aiyar said the Congress failed to capitalise on the public sentiment against demonetisation.

"We certainly did not succeed politically in capitalising on the anger against demonetisation and Modi's Robin Hood-myth had a stronger message.

"The fact is that (they) haven't got one rupee of black money. No rich person is being caught or put behind bars. They have demonetised 86 per cent of our currency. That is they have looked for a needle in the haystack and not found the needle," he said.

Aiyar also lambasted the BJP for capturing power in Manipur and Goa by appointing "puppets as governors".

"The governor of Goa herself says she telephoned Arun Jaitley for instructions. She said it publically. How can a governor of a state ring up a Finance Minister... I think that betrays the fact that these are not the kind of governors envisaged by our Constitution," he said.

  

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Comment on this article

  • pl, oman

    Thu, Mar 23 2017

    Till Rahul Gandhi is there BJP ki JaiJai and Congress ki.......…

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Amigo, Mangalore

    Thu, Mar 23 2017

    Mani, SATT GAYA KYA?

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Albert, Mangalore

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    One ' Mentor' ....and the .other...'Mental'??

    DisAgree [6] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    Mani is BJP man in Congress. So he will ensure closure of Congress. What Modi and Amit Shah can not do, Mani and Digvijay will do it. I have full confidence in this Jodi.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • sadadand, Udupi / Mumbai

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    Hope Iyer is too much hurry in hitting Final Nail on Congress...

    DisAgree [2] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • G R PRABHUJI, Mangalore

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    No NO. Gandhi fly must keep away from front line. Aiyar and all speaking in support of MODIJI. He wants to finish Congress and all these Congress men are supporting.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    Gayee Bhais Pani Mein ...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alphonso Rodrigues, Udupi

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    On a serious note the latest breaking news is 'Rahul Gandhi has been appointed as the Prime Minister of the new separate nation ' Ullala.!

    DisAgree [5] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Elwyn Goveas, Valencia

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    S.M.Krishna is a black sheep and a plus point for congress.In fact congress should never accept him again in congress.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prasanna, Bajpe/Mangalore

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    Chai..chai..chai... Ayyar Chai with Raga Masala...

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shetty, Mangalore

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    Another gem of an advise by Manishankar the great (after his superhit chaiwala jibe) to fast track congress mukth Bharat.....

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajesh, Udupi

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    This fellow is a 'Shakuni' in Congress party! He wants Congress to further fall or decimation of Congress! and watch the fun. A week back in one of the NDTV program, I saw when Sheker Gupta said you are also a good Orator like Mr. Modi and Congress should use you, Mani’s reply was so negative, I thought, how this man can call himself a Congress Man! No wonder he suggest RG’s name. He, Digvijay, SM Krishna and Poojary must immediately leave Congress and join other political parties if any takers are there for them.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • KEJRINATH, DELHI

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    I DOUBT RAHUL GANDHI WORKS FOR BJP.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sujith Nayak, Kudla / AUH

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    Dear Aiyyar... Kindly do not stop until your wish comes true... Thanks for 2019 in advance.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Naveen, Manglore

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    When they appointed Pranav mukharjee as "President Of India" next day onwards bad day started for congress.. Mukharjee was the senior most and experienced leader to handle their party but italian group in their party played not to make him supreme of their party ..now Mr. Mukharjee is the supreme of country..let Italian group struggle and take rest..

    DisAgree [1] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • MN, Mangalore

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    Hidden agenda.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sudhakar, Kallianpur

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    "Mentor" !!! No comments.

    But, if Rahul Gandhi becomes Congress President, definitely she will become Me.... l, by his performance!!!

    DisAgree [2] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Swamy, Mangalore

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    Rahul Gandhi should act only as Special Guest. Priyanka Gandhi should be made party president. Unfortunately she is not showing her full enthusiasm in this endeavour.

    DisAgree [9] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • R Bhandarkar, Mangaluru

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    Looks like Mani wants to open a tea stall soon with RaGa as his partner

    DisAgree [1] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • Suresh, Moodbidri

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    Shankar Aiyar and Digvijay Sing are two Shakunis of congress. What Shakuni did in Mahabarath everybody knows..........

    DisAgree [1] Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse

  • Amigo, Mangalore

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    Mr. Aiyar why do you want to CLOSE the Congress shop so early by giving keys to Pappu?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • R Bhandarkar, Mangaluru

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    Aiy.Aiy yo Aiyar
    What did you say in.2014?
    This Chai wallah will never be the PM of India
    Ye Chai wallah Chai wallah hi rahegaa!
    This actually propelled and infused strength
    In the opposition and now you people are not even in the
    Contention for 2019!
    At 75 don't babble nonsense.
    Read the writing on the wall.
    For Congress's sake RaGa should not be it's President.
    If he does then it is the proverbial last nail in the coffin for it.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • Logical Indian, Kudla

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    Yes @R Bhandarkar Sir, I still remember, this same Iyer told the reporter during aicc national meet that, This Chai wallah will never be the PM of India, Ye Chai wallah Chai wallah hi rahegaa!

    If he(MODI) wants he can open up a tea stall in this meeting hall & serve tea to all Congress man!

    Look now, Kiska Dhukaan ab bandh hone wali hai! (honi wali hai kya..!! bandh ho gaya)

    Never ever..ever ever... disrespect or lookdown any person by his profession/status/wealth..etc!Karma follows

    Jai Hind!

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • vnayak, Mangalore/Switzerland

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    Mani Shankar is a Gandhi family loyalist. He does not realize that BJP is hoping and praying for Rahul Gandhi to remain in his position or even be elevated as a President. They know that as long as Rahul is in charge Congress will further go down the tube. What Congress needs is a dynamic visionary leader and not a perpetual moaner who has no original ideas. His father, though having no political experience, had at least the vision to make India a IT heavy weight one day both for the Industry as well as its use. Rahul has no such dreams.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ravi C, Mangalore

    Wed, Mar 22 2017

    Well said..

    We can expect further downfall of congress if RG becomes congress Chief.

    DisAgree Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Rahul must be made Congress chief, Sonia can become 'mentor': Aiyar



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