New Delhi:
Parliamentarian Mani Shankar Aiyar was widely denounced today by most politicians. But one -
Rahul Gandhi - singled him out for rich praise.
At a meeting of thousands of Congress workers in Delhi, Mr Gandhi, who will lead the Congress's election campaign, asked in his speech, "Where is Mani Shankar Aiyar?" and then in a verbal equivalent of fist-bump praised the 72-year-old for his effort in strengthening panchayati raj or grassroots democracy, a cause that Mr Gandhi highlighted as close to the heart of his father, Rajiv, who was assassinated in 1991.
Mr Aiyar, a Rajya Sabha MP, nodded and accepted the shout-out. Those sitting near him shook his hand.
At the same conclave earlier today, Mr Aiyar leapt into controversy by making derogatory remarks about the BJP's prime ministerial candidate,
Narendra Modi.
"There is no way he can be Prime Minister in the 21st century... but if he wants to come and distribute tea here we can make some room for him." (
Former tea vendor will defeat dynasty: BJP responds to Mani Shankar Aiyar)
Mr Aiyar refuted charges that his remarks were in poor taste and mocked the simple origins of Mr Modi, who has emphasized that his family was not rich and that he sold tea on trains. Mr Modi has contrasted his background with that of the Congress's Rahul Gandhi, whose famous last name has placed him in the centre of power in his party.
"Who has made this personal?" Mr Aiyar asked. "Doesn't the BJP call my leader (Rahul) a prince (
shahzaada)? Is that not personal?" (
Read: Quotable quotes from Congress meet)