'Rajiv Gandhi Failed Twice, How Did He Become PM': Congress Leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's Remark Triggers Controversy

Mani Shankar Aiyar On Rajiv Gandhi: BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya has shared a video of former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar on Twitter. In this video, Aiyar is calling Rajiv 'weak in studies'.

Congress has once again been stung by Mani Shankar Aiyar. An interview of the senior leader brought him into controversy. This time his statement is not on any opposition leader but on his own party's former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Rajiv, whom Congress calls the 'father of information revolution' in the country, was not that qualified, according to Aiyar. Questioning his educational qualification, Aiyar said that he is surprised how such a person was made the Prime Minister of India. On Aiyar's comments, Congress MP Kunwar Danish Ali said, "Rajiv Gandhi is remembered for bringing IT revolution and modernization in the country. He also started the Panchayati Raj system."

'Rajiv Gandhi failed twice'

BJP leader Amit Malviya on Wednesday shared a video on his official 'X' handle. In this, Mani Shankar Aiyar was seen saying that Rajiv Gandhi was not good at studies. Aiyar said, "Rajiv Gandhi failed in Cambridge, where passing is considered very easy. After this, he took admission in Imperial College London, but failed there too."

Amit Malviya wrote with this video, "Rajiv Gandhi was struggling academically. He failed both at Cambridge and Imperial College. Yet he was made the Prime Minister of the country. Let the curtain be lifted."

Iyer's statement and Congress's problems

Iyer said in an interview that Rajiv Gandhi was an airline pilot, but serious questions arise about his education. He said, "It is difficult to fail in Cambridge, because the university tries its best to make the students pass. Still Rajiv Gandhi failed. After this he went to Imperial College London, he failed there too."

Due to this statement of Iyer, Congress is facing an uncomfortable situation. Even before this, Iyer has been in controversies regarding his statements.

Controversial statement also given on 1962 war

This is not the first time that Mani Shankar Aiyar's statement has caused a stir. Earlier, he had also made a controversial comment about the 1962 India-China war. At a book event, he called the 1962 war an "alleged Chinese invasion". He said, "In October 1962, China allegedly attacked India." This statement was given during the release of the book 'Nehru's First Recruits: The Diplomats Who Built Independent India's Foreign Policy' related to the Indian Foreign Service.

This statement of Mani Shankar Aiyar has come at a time when Congress is already facing many political challenges. His statement may further affect the image of the party.

PC:News18