Ready to accept any punishment: Mani Shankar Aiyar
Mani Shankar Aiyar
'I meant low level when I said 'neech', I think in English when I speak in Hindi,' Aiyar clarified in a statement yesterday
As the campaigning for the second phase of the Gujarat elections reaches fever pitch, Primi Minister addressed a rally in Bhabhar, Gujarat earlier today. While speaking at a rally in Surat yesterday, the Prime Minister lashed out at Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar for calling him (PM Modi) a "neech admi".
Mr Aiyar's remark had created a furore among political leaders followed by Congress VP Rahul Gandhi asking Mr Aiyar to apologise for his use of language.
"I do not appreciate the tone and language used by Mr Mani Shankar Aiyer to address the PM. Both the Congress and I expect him to apologise for what he said," the official tweet noted.
Later in the day, Mani Shankar Aiyar went on to make remarks like, "I am a freelance Congressi, I hold no post in the party, so I can reply to PM in his language".
Aiyar later clarified saying that he used the word "neech" in a completely different context.
"I meant low level when I said 'neech', I think in English when I speak in Hindi as Hindi is not my mother tongue," clarified Aiyar.
Earlier today, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressed a rally in Chotta Udaipur and expressed regret over 'neech row'.
"Congress party mein galat shabd prayog karke koi bhi PM ke baare mein nahi bol sakta. Modi ji humare baare mein kuch bhi keh sakte hain. Isliye humne Mani Shankar Aiyar par sakht karyawahi ki," he noted today.
In the meanwhile, PM Modi, who was addressing locals in a rally in Bhabhar, also targeted Mani Shankar Aiyar.
"Mani Shankar Aiyar told people when he visited Pakistan - remove Modi from the way and then see what happens to India-Pakistan peace. What did he mean by removing me from the way? And what is my crime? That I have blessings of the people?" PM noted.
In a statement shared with media earlier today, Mani Shankar Aiyar apologised and stated that he was saddened by the turn of events.
He said he had no such intentions and is ready to "accept any punishment" that the Congress wants to give him if the party suffers in the Gujarat election because of him.
Aiyar now stands suspended from the Congress.