Political decorum has touched its nadir with former Rajya Sabha MP Mani Shankar Aiyar calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi “ neech kism ka aadmi ” (a low life) in reaction to Mr. Modi’s speech (“Congress suspends Aiyar for remark against PM Modi”, December 8). It is very difficult to buy Mr. Aiyar’s defence of his poor knowledge of Hindi. If so-called intellectuals make such jarring comments, what can we expect from lesser mortals? The Congress should be appreciated for taking swift action by suspending Mr. Aiyar from the party.
However, the BJP too can be blamed for ridiculing Mr. Rahul Gandhi by using derogatory terms. The Prime Minister could do a lot to raise the bar as far as decent political debate is concerned if he desists from harping time and again on his background and hailing from a particular caste. Elections should be contested on issues.
V. Subramanian,
Chennai
Mr. Aiyar’s jibe will unravel months of hard work put in by the Congress to try and capture Gujarat. Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s comment “Mauth Ka Saudagar” and Mr. Aiyar’s earlier and tasteless remarks against Mr. Modi damaged the party’s prospects in the 2012 and 2014 elections, respectively. While the Congress may have acted swiftly against Mr. Aiyar this time, more heads need to roll if the party is keen on gaining lost ground.
A. Gajanana,
Bengaluru
Mr. Aiyar’s intemperate utterance is not surprising in keeping with his propensity to stoop low in verbal discourse. Many will not forget how his tasteless remark during the 2014 Lok Sabha election about the Prime Minister fetched rich dividends for the BJP. The same thing is likely to happen now as Mr. Modi has seized the opportunity to make political capital out of the situation, and in the last stages of the electoral campaign. Whatever fighting chance the Congress has is bound to be affected. While the Congress was swift in recognising the gravity of the situation the damage may have already been done. It is possible that even those sitting on the fence may now choose the BJP as it is an issue about the Prime Minister, Gujarati pride and “Asmitha’ that is now in focus.
H.R. Bapu Satyanarayana,
Mysuru
A parliamentarian using derogatory language to describe the Prime Minister of the country is deplorable. Mr. Aiyar, who claims to be highly educated person and has held several prominent posts in the past, should not allowed a slip of the tongue. There must be decency and decorum even in political discourse. Foul language and abuse has no place. The media too should guard itself in giving undue publicity to such utterances. Politically, the damage done cannot be undone.
Nagarajamani M.V.,
Hyderabad
The comment made by Mr. Aiyar marks a new low in politics. A person of his calibre should not have made such a derogatory remark. It is not only an insult to the Prime Minister but also an insult to the rest of us who voted him to power.
Sravana Ramachandran,
Chennai
The remark by the senior Congress leader and known Gandhi loyalist is in poor taste and unbecoming of a leader of his stature. The ill-timed personal attack is not a first by the Congressman who had used another derogatory term against Mr. Modi in 2014. This time, the barb, which was made in the fag end of the electoral campaign in Mr. Modi’s home State, has come as a godsend for the BJP. It will indeed be a tall order for the Grand Old Party to turn the tables on the BJP after this development.
N.J. Ravi Chander,
Bengaluru
Mr. Aiyar, who appears to be loose cannon, has done it again, perhaps reflecting his deep frustration. The political discourse in Gujarat which began on a good note with issues of paramount importance such as GST, demonetisation and unemployment, issues pertaining to common man, seems to have reached a new low. The self-goal by the Congress party is now a gift in the form of a sharp-edged weapon to the BJP. In every electoral season, the Congress party seems to get trapped in a web of its own making. Tall claims made by leaders in the Congress about its political legacy and culture seem to be hollow. It is clear that the party is unable to handle political complexities at crucial moments. The Congress needs to realise that it can go miles with a calm and composed campaign.
N. Sadhasiva Reddy,
Bengaluru
Mr. Aiyar is known for his not infrequent slips of the tongue. The level of his discourse goes beyond all levels of political decency and his rhetoric is sure to land the Congress in trouble. The party appears to be determined to hoisted by its own petard.
M. Rajaraman,
Gummudipoondi, Tamil Nadu
