In a reply to the BJP’s criticism of his observations on the ‘tea seller’ controversy, Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Mani Shankar Aiyar said the Congress may ‘sell’ the country for the welfare of people, but would never ‘sell’ the country away to Narendra Modi, BJP’s prime ministerial candidate.
Speaking to the media here on the sidelines of a local event, Mr.Aiyar said it was Mr. Modi who started the culture of jibes in the country. “He calls Rahul Gandhi a prince. Did Rahul ask to be born into the family?”
Mr. Aiyar said that Mr. Modi should acquire political wisdom before he aspires to become the Prime Minister.
“Mr. Modi does not know the history of his own party; history of who founded his party. He does not know the Constitution, or our political structure. He wants to become the Prime Minister. Let him first qualify for the post. Let him learn history, acquire political wisdom. Then, he is welcome to be the Prime Minister,” Mr. Aiyar said.
According to Mr. Aiyar, it was ignorance to harp on prime ministerial candidature, when the country has a parliamentary system and not a presidential system.
On the possibilities of an alliance in Tamil Nadu, Mr. Aiyar said that “no party has approached us for an alliance so far.”
