<p>Obstacles during elections always come out of the blue. They are sudden and have the capacity to change the narrative. Election campaigns in India are far more prone to losing balance over ill-timed comments and lost-in-translation sentences. Both Kapil Sibal and Mani Shankar Aiyar&#39;s comments prove this theory right that an election can go off-course if organisations fail to control leaders&#39; their extra-curricular activities. It happened to BJP in Bihar when Mohan Bhagwat spoke on reservations; throughout the campaign, BJP had to explain its position on it.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
For this reason, BJP rejoiced when Congress handed over a &#39;<em>Maut Ka Saudagar</em>&#39;&nbsp;moment to them on a platter till Nana Patole, BJP MP from Gondia resigned from Lok Sabha calling BJP anti-farmers. It is too early to know about the nature and depth of the damage and whether it is <em>Maut ka Saudagar </em>part 2, it definitely tells us a few things about current politics.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Despite analysts making sweeping observations about highly charged urban Gujarat&rsquo;s dominance over rural issues and constituencies, economic issues have managed to find resonance in the state across the rural-urban map. It is for this reason that BJP has decided to cling to mandir and <em>neech</em> remarks because it harnesses Gujarati pride which can make them override the issue of incumbency and lack of leadership in the state post-Modi.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
On the other hand, what we see today is a different Congress. Politicians like Mani Shankar and Kapil Sibal enjoyed a good amount of autonomy under Sonia which I don&rsquo;t think will continue under Rahul Gandhi. Within hours, Mani Shankar Aiyyar was suspended, apology issued and BJP was asked to extend a similar courtesy to Congress when their senior leaders abuse Gandhi&rsquo;s in person. Congress did not allow the statements to assume the proportion of <em>chai par </em><em>charcha</em> which has become a hallmark of BJP&rsquo;s campaign to showcase humble origin of Narendra Modi. Despite the gaffe and BJP&rsquo;s attempt to milk it best of its ability, Gujarat tells us that same electorate can quickly see a person from a different angle within a short span of time. Indian history is replete with such examples and it should worry the government.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
For this reason, social media did not bite Rahul Gandhi in Mani-Kapil controversy.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Rahul is a dynast and not like Modi who has become Prime Minister out of his own might and will. The issue will persist till Rahul gains legitimacy through an electoral process which is a win attributable to him.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The difference this time is that Rahul Gandhi is getting sympathy from the same electorate which disliked him. The reason for is the impression that he has received more than his share of brickbats. BJP should be wary of it.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Indira Gandhi became authoritarian from being a strong leader in a very short span of time. Rajiv Gandhi from being the most honest and fresh politician became a symbol of corruption within three years. The liberal and new age Nehru was being perceived as weak and idealist within 15 years of power. Even VP Singh from being most loved became most hated within a span of 2 years. Even UPA could not escape it. Within a decade, a division of power between Sonia and Manmohan led to the emergence of the theme of PM without authority in 2014 Lok Sabha elections.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Rahul who has been portrayed as <em>Pappu</em> and a dynast is slowly turning into an underdog. That should worry the government even if Gujarat is retained. Though Narendra Modi was quick to change and respond to <em>suit boot ki Sarkar</em> jibe which pinned him down as pro industrialist. It is for this reason land bill is still in cold storage and PM continues to mention Ambanis and Adani in his electoral speeches.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;It remains to be seen whether BJP can recreate the magic of <em>maut</em><em> ka </em><em>saudagar</em><em> </em>moment once again. The controversy has shown that BJP wants its national campaign to remain centred around cultural nationalism and Ayodhya issue.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
During 2014, the campaign was around delivering a prosperous nation. India voted for Modi because it saw its own potential in him. The BJP&#39;s 2019 campaign script will be sealed in the Gujarat elections -- this way or that way.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).</em></p>


Rahul, who has been portrayed as Pappu and a dynast, is slowly turning into an underdog. That should worry the government even if Gujarat is retained

Obstacles during elections always come out of the blue. They are sudden and have the capacity to change the narrative. Election campaigns in India are far more prone to losing balance over ill-timed comments and lost-in-translation sentences. Both Kapil Sibal and Mani Shankar Aiyar's comments prove this theory right that an election can go off-course if organisations fail to control leaders' their extra-curricular activities. It happened to BJP in Bihar when Mohan Bhagwat spoke on reservations; throughout the campaign, BJP had to explain its position on it. For this reason, BJP rejoiced when Congress handed over a 'Maut Ka Saudagar' moment to them on a platter till Nana Patole, BJP MP from Gondia resigned from Lok Sabha calling BJP anti-farmers. It is too early to know about the nature and depth of the damage and whether it is Maut ka Saudagar part 2, it definitely tells us a few things about current politics. Despite analysts making sweeping observations about highly charged urban Gujarat’s dominance over rural issues and constituencies, economic issues have managed to find resonance in the state across the rural-urban map. It is for this reason that BJP has decided to cling to mandir and neech remarks because it harnesses Gujarati pride which can make them override the issue of incumbency and lack of leadership in the state post-Modi. On the other hand, what we see today is a different Congress. Politicians like Mani Shankar and Kapil Sibal enjoyed a good amount of autonomy under Sonia which I don’t think will continue under Rahul Gandhi. Within hours, Mani Shankar Aiyyar was suspended, apology issued and BJP was asked to extend a similar courtesy to Congress when their senior leaders abuse Gandhi’s in person. Congress did not allow the statements to assume the proportion of chai par charcha which has become a hallmark of BJP’s campaign to showcase humble origin of Narendra Modi. Despite the gaffe and BJP’s attempt to milk it best of its ability, Gujarat tells us that same electorate can quickly see a person from a different angle within a short span of time. Indian history is replete with such examples and it should worry the government. For this reason, social media did not bite Rahul Gandhi in Mani-Kapil controversy. Rahul is a dynast and not like Modi who has become Prime Minister out of his own might and will. The issue will persist till Rahul gains legitimacy through an electoral process which is a win attributable to him. The difference this time is that Rahul Gandhi is getting sympathy from the same electorate which disliked him. The reason for is the impression that he has received more than his share of brickbats. BJP should be wary of it. Indira Gandhi became authoritarian from being a strong leader in a very short span of time. Rajiv Gandhi from being the most honest and fresh politician became a symbol of corruption within three years. The liberal and new age Nehru was being perceived as weak and idealist within 15 years of power. Even VP Singh from being most loved became most hated within a span of 2 years. Even UPA could not escape it. Within a decade, a division of power between Sonia and Manmohan led to the emergence of the theme of PM without authority in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Rahul who has been portrayed as Pappu and a dynast is slowly turning into an underdog. That should worry the government even if Gujarat is retained. Though Narendra Modi was quick to change and respond to suit boot ki Sarkar jibe which pinned him down as pro industrialist. It is for this reason land bill is still in cold storage and PM continues to mention Ambanis and Adani in his electoral speeches. It remains to be seen whether BJP can recreate the magic of maut ka saudagar moment once again. The controversy has shown that BJP wants its national campaign to remain centred around cultural nationalism and Ayodhya issue. During 2014, the campaign was around delivering a prosperous nation. India voted for Modi because it saw its own potential in him. The BJP's 2019 campaign script will be sealed in the Gujarat elections -- this way or that way. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Opinion: Rahul, the underdog?

<p>&nbsp;While addressing a rally in Palanpur, Gujarat Prime Minister Modi has asked that why the military intelligence from Pakistan was putting forward the name of Ahmed Patel for chief minister.</p>

<p>He said &quot;why people who previously held high posts in military -intelligence establishment of Pakistan&nbsp;writing that we should help make Ahmed Patel the CM?&quot;</p>

<p>He said that the Mani Shankar Aiyar who insulted Gujarat held secret meetings with Pakistan High Commissioner.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier PM Modi had said in at a rally said&nbsp;that&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/poster-congratulating-rahul-gandhi-for-suspending-mani-shankar-aiyar-goes-viral-26213">Mani Shankar Aiyar</a>&nbsp;had told people when he visited Pakistan to &quot;remove Modi&quot;&nbsp;from the way and then see what happens to India-Pakistan peace.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi had then responded to him saying &quot;What did he mean by removing me from the way? And what is my crime? That I have blessings of the people?&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mani Shankar&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/neech-row-both-congress-and-i-want-mani-shankar-aiyar-to-apologise-says-rahul-gandhi-26147">Aiyar was suspended&nbsp;</a>from primary membership of the Congress after his &quot;neech&quot; comment on PM Modi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had also demanded an apology from&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/neech-row-i-am-ready-to-accept-any-punishment-that-the-congress-wants-to-give-me-says-mani-shankar-aiyar-26240">Aiyar</a>&nbsp;to PM Modi.</p>

<p>The Prime Minister and several BJP leaders went on to target the Congress veteran in BJP rallies and official events.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The same Mani Shankar Aiyar, who insulted Gujarat, held secret meetings with Pakistan High Commissioner. What was the reason? Why are people who previously held high posts in military-intelligence establishment of Pak writing that we should help make Ahmed Patel the CM?: PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/lc9G57NlKI">pic.twitter.com/lc9G57NlKI</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/939754507952472064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


PM Modi said 'why people who previously held high posts in military -intelligence establishment of Pakistan?writing that we should help make Ahmed Patel the CM?'

While addressing a rally in Palanpur, Gujarat Prime Minister Modi has asked that why the military intelligence from Pakistan was putting forward the name of Ahmed Patel for chief minister. He said "why people who previously held high posts in military -intelligence establishment of Pakistan writing that we should help make Ahmed Patel the CM?" He said that the Mani Shankar Aiyar who insulted Gujarat held secret meetings with Pakistan High Commissioner. Earlier PM Modi had said in at a rally said that Mani Shankar Aiyar had told people when he visited Pakistan to "remove Modi" from the way and then see what happens to India-Pakistan peace. Modi had then responded to him saying "What did he mean by removing me from the way? And what is my crime? That I have blessings of the people?" Mani Shankar Aiyar was suspended from primary membership of the Congress after his "neech" comment on PM Modi. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had also demanded an apology from Aiyar to PM Modi. The Prime Minister and several BJP leaders went on to target the Congress veteran in BJP rallies and official events. The same Mani Shankar Aiyar, who insulted Gujarat, held secret meetings with Pakistan High Commissioner. What was the reason? Why are people who previously held high posts in military-intelligence establishment of Pak writing that we should help make Ahmed Patel the CM?: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/lc9G57NlKI — ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2017 ×

Why Pakistan military intelligence wants Ahmed Patel as Gujarat CM? asks Modi

<p>A poster congratulating Rahul Gandhi for suspending Mani Shankar Aiyar for his remarks on Narendra Modi has gone viral on social media.</p>

<p>A poster with the written name of Hasib Ahmed, Congress leader from Allahabad has portrayed a batsman body with Rahul Gandhi&#39;s face on it and is seeing whacking a ball with Aiyar&#39;s face on it.</p>

<p>The poster reads &quot;well done Rahul bhaiya,&quot; with Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi&#39;s face incorporating in the poster.</p>

<p>The poster is being heavily shared on social media and receiving mixed reactions as some are actually congratulating Gandhi for his&nbsp;quick decision of straight suspension, some are also seeing it as a sign of how quickly the party abandons its member.</p>

<p>A Former Union Minister and a party member, Mani Shankar Aiyar, described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as &quot;neech,&quot; later he accepted his mistake and clarified saying that as Hindi is not his mother tongue he may have misspoken.</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/amar-singh-calls-aiyar-habitual-offender-26197">Amar Singh calls Aiyar &#39;habitual offender&#39;</a></p>


The poster reads 'well done Rahul bhaiya,' with Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi's face incorporating in the poster

A poster congratulating Rahul Gandhi for suspending Mani Shankar Aiyar for his remarks on Narendra Modi has gone viral on social media. A poster with the written name of Hasib Ahmed, Congress leader from Allahabad has portrayed a batsman body with Rahul Gandhi's face on it and is seeing whacking a ball with Aiyar's face on it. The poster reads "well done Rahul bhaiya," with Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi's face incorporating in the poster. The poster is being heavily shared on social media and receiving mixed reactions as some are actually congratulating Gandhi for his quick decision of straight suspension, some are also seeing it as a sign of how quickly the party abandons its member. A Former Union Minister and a party member, Mani Shankar Aiyar, described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "neech," later he accepted his mistake and clarified saying that as Hindi is not his mother tongue he may have misspoken. Also read: Amar Singh calls Aiyar 'habitual offender'

Poster congratulating Rahul Gandhi for suspending Mani Shankar Aiyar goes viral

<p>As the campaigning for the first phase of the Gujarat elections draws to an end, PM Narendra Modi conducted a rally in Surat earlier today.</p>

<p>While addressing the local crowd here, PM Modi talked about Congress&#39; failure as a governing party, &quot;People did not get continuous electricity. When the BJP got to serve Gujarat we ensured continuous power. The demand for Surat was long pending and it is the BJP that has worked on this,&quot; he noted.</p>

<p>PM Modi went on to talk about Congress&#39; Mani Shankar Aiyar who had allegedly called him &quot;neech&quot;. &quot;Congress leaders are speaking in a language that is not acceptable in a democracy. One Congress leader, who has studied in best institutions, served as a diplomat, was a Minister in Cabinet, said Modi is &#39;Neech.&#39; This is insulting. This is nothing but a Mughalai mindset,&quot; PM Modi exclaimed.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress leaders are speaking in a language that is not acceptable in democracy. One Congress leader, who has studied in best institutions, served as a diplomat, was a Minister in Cabinet, he said Modi is &#39;Neech.&#39; This is insulting. This is nothing but a Mughalai Mindset: PM <a href="https://t.co/9IvKewDPMw">pic.twitter.com/9IvKewDPMw</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938722393953988608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Union Minister of Law and Justice, Ravi Shankar Prasad reacted by saying that Congress leader, Mani Shankar Aiyar&#39;s mindset is a &quot;darbaari&quot; one. &quot;He (Mr Aiyar) has called our PM &#39;neech&#39; but we are proud of our Prime Minister,&quot; Ravi Shankar Prasad noted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mani Shankar Aiyar has called our PM &#39;neech&#39; but we are proud of our Prime Minister, he has answered (Mani Shankar Aiyar) very politely &amp; sensibly. Aiyar&#39;s mindset is a &#39;darbaari&#39; one: Ravi Shankar Prasad <a href="https://t.co/XLc3T1Ryp3">pic.twitter.com/XLc3T1Ryp3</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938727256834240513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi further noted that &quot;the people of Gujarat will give a fitting answer to such deplorable language...&nbsp;They can call me &#39;Neech&#39;- Yes, I am from the poor section of society and will spend every moment of my life to work for the poor, Dalits, Tribals and OBC communities. They can keep their language, we will do our work,&quot; he noted while addressing the rally in Surat.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Yes, they called me &#39;Neech&#39; but our value systems are strong. We have nothing to say to such elements. Our answer will come through ballot box. We have seen enough insults from them. They insulted me when I was CM. They called me &#39;Maut Ka Saudagar&#39; &amp; wanted to jail me: PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/XNxyeTKBb7">pic.twitter.com/XNxyeTKBb7</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938724845763813376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>In the meanwhile Congress Vice President, Rahul Gandhi asked Mr Aiyar to apologise for his use of language against PM Modi.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BJP and PM routinely use filthy language to attack the Congress party. The Congress has a different culture and heritage. 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.</p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/938732839880687616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had previously derided PM Modi calling him a tea seller who could never become the Prime Minister of the country.</p>

<p>Mani Shankar Aiyar finally retorted saying that &quot;Everyday PM is using foul language against our leaders. I am a freelance Congressi, I hold no post in the party, so I can reply to PM in his language,&quot; he told media today.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Why was PM taking a jibe at Congress and Rahul Gandhi at inauguration of a Centre on Baba Saheb Ambedkar? Everyday PM is using foul language against our leaders. I am a freelance Congressi, I hold no post in the party, so I can reply to PM in his language: Mani Shankar Aiyar <a href="https://t.co/SBqzIjyZsz">pic.twitter.com/SBqzIjyZsz</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938737033056370688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;I meant low level when I said &#39;neech&#39;, I think in English when I speak in Hindi as Hindi is not my mother tongue,&quot; clarified Aiyar.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I meant low level when I said &#39;neech&#39;, I think in English when I speak in Hindi as Hindi is not my mother tongue. So if it has some other meaning then I apologize: Mani Shankar Aiyar <a href="https://t.co/yf5tshB1Vt">pic.twitter.com/yf5tshB1Vt</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938737804854444032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Political leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav&nbsp;and Union Minister of Finance&nbsp;Arun Jaitley also reacted on the row.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It is not just a matter of filthy language but of Congress&#39; mindset which says that only one family can rule this country and if someone from the weaker section becomes PM then they call him &#39;chaiwala&#39; &amp; &#39;neech&#39;: Arun Jaitley <a href="https://t.co/cWtDZMx7Cb">pic.twitter.com/cWtDZMx7Cb</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938741097609568256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>In case you missed out on what was exactly said by Mr Aiyar, here&#39;s a look!</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: &quot;Ye aadmi bahut neech kisam ka aadmi hai, is mein koi sabhyata nahi hai, aur aise mauke par is kisam ki gandi rajniti karne ki kya avashyakta hai?: Congress&#39; Mani Shankar Aiyar on PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/sNXeo6a1Gi">pic.twitter.com/sNXeo6a1Gi</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938705515760123904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had previously derided PM Modi calling him a tea seller who could never be Prime Minister

As the campaigning for the first phase of the Gujarat elections draws to an end, PM Narendra Modi conducted a rally in Surat earlier today. While addressing the local crowd here, PM Modi talked about Congress' failure as a governing party, "People did not get continuous electricity. When the BJP got to serve Gujarat we ensured continuous power. The demand for Surat was long pending and it is the BJP that has worked on this," he noted. PM Modi went on to talk about Congress' Mani Shankar Aiyar who had allegedly called him "neech". "Congress leaders are speaking in a language that is not acceptable in a democracy. One Congress leader, who has studied in best institutions, served as a diplomat, was a Minister in Cabinet, said Modi is 'Neech.' This is insulting. This is nothing but a Mughalai mindset," PM Modi exclaimed. Congress leaders are speaking in a language that is not acceptable in democracy. One Congress leader, who has studied in best institutions, served as a diplomat, was a Minister in Cabinet, he said Modi is 'Neech.' This is insulting. This is nothing but a Mughalai Mindset: PM pic.twitter.com/9IvKewDPMw — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 × Union Minister of Law and Justice, Ravi Shankar Prasad reacted by saying that Congress leader, Mani Shankar Aiyar's mindset is a "darbaari" one. "He (Mr Aiyar) has called our PM 'neech' but we are proud of our Prime Minister," Ravi Shankar Prasad noted. Mani Shankar Aiyar has called our PM 'neech' but we are proud of our Prime Minister, he has answered (Mani Shankar Aiyar) very politely & sensibly. Aiyar's mindset is a 'darbaari' one: Ravi Shankar Prasad pic.twitter.com/XLc3T1Ryp3 — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi further noted that "the people of Gujarat will give a fitting answer to such deplorable language... They can call me 'Neech'- Yes, I am from the poor section of society and will spend every moment of my life to work for the poor, Dalits, Tribals and OBC communities. They can keep their language, we will do our work," he noted while addressing the rally in Surat. Yes, they called me 'Neech' but our value systems are strong. We have nothing to say to such elements. Our answer will come through ballot box. We have seen enough insults from them. They insulted me when I was CM. They called me 'Maut Ka Saudagar' & wanted to jail me: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/XNxyeTKBb7 — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 × In the meanwhile Congress Vice President, Rahul Gandhi asked Mr Aiyar to apologise for his use of language against PM Modi. BJP and PM routinely use filthy language to attack the Congress party. The Congress has a different culture and heritage. 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. — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 7, 2017 × Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had previously derided PM Modi calling him a tea seller who could never become the Prime Minister of the country. Mani Shankar Aiyar finally retorted saying that "Everyday PM is using foul language against our leaders. I am a freelance Congressi, I hold no post in the party, so I can reply to PM in his language," he told media today. Why was PM taking a jibe at Congress and Rahul Gandhi at inauguration of a Centre on Baba Saheb Ambedkar? Everyday PM is using foul language against our leaders. I am a freelance Congressi, I hold no post in the party, so I can reply to PM in his language: Mani Shankar Aiyar pic.twitter.com/SBqzIjyZsz — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 × "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. I meant low level when I said 'neech', I think in English when I speak in Hindi as Hindi is not my mother tongue. So if it has some other meaning then I apologize: Mani Shankar Aiyar pic.twitter.com/yf5tshB1Vt — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 × Political leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav and Union Minister of Finance Arun Jaitley also reacted on the row. It is not just a matter of filthy language but of Congress' mindset which says that only one family can rule this country and if someone from the weaker section becomes PM then they call him 'chaiwala' & 'neech': Arun Jaitley pic.twitter.com/cWtDZMx7Cb — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 × In case you missed out on what was exactly said by Mr Aiyar, here's a look! #WATCH: "Ye aadmi bahut neech kisam ka aadmi hai, is mein koi sabhyata nahi hai, aur aise mauke par is kisam ki gandi rajniti karne ki kya avashyakta hai?: Congress' Mani Shankar Aiyar on PM Modi pic.twitter.com/sNXeo6a1Gi — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 ×

'Neech' row: I can reply to PM in his language, says Mani Shankar Aiyar

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