A new political controversy has hit the Congress after senior party leader Mani Shankar Aiyar openly distanced himself from Rahul Gandhi and made statements that have created discomfort within the party, especially in Kerala. His comments have triggered sharp reactions from Congress leaders and also given the BJP a chance to attack the opposition party.

The controversy began when Aiyar said, “I am not a Rahulian,” while speaking about the political situation in Kerala. At the same time, he predicted that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan would win a third consecutive term in the upcoming Assembly elections. This statement has caused major debate because Congress is preparing for an important electoral battle in the state.

Aiyar later clarified that he has not left the Congress party. He said Rahul Gandhi may have forgotten that he is still a party member. Explaining his political identity, he stated that he considers himself a supporter of past Congress leaders, but not Rahul Gandhi.

“I am in the Congress party, I haven’t left it. Mr Rahul Gandhi has forgotten that I am a member of the party. Therefore, I am a Gandhian, I am a Nehruvian, I am a Rajivian, but I am not a Rahulian,” Aiyar said.

His remarks have highlighted internal differences within the Congress, and the issue has become more serious because Kerala is heading towards a high-stakes election. Many in the Congress believe that such public comments damage the party’s image at a time when unity is needed.

Aiyar made another statement that increased the controversy. He predicted that Pinarayi Vijayan, who leads the Left government in Kerala, will return to power again.

He described Vijayan as “a very intelligent man” and even made a sarcastic comment, saying, “If I am Pinarayi Vijayan I wouldn’t want me.”

Later, Aiyar said he was willing to take back his prediction, but only if the Congress made a clear promise.

“Promise me that VD Satheesan will be the next CM, then I am ready to withdraw the statement on Pinarayi Vijayan,” he said.

He also called Satheesan “a socialist secularist” and said if Satheesan is made the Chief Minister candidate, he would withdraw his claim that Vijayan will win again.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal responded to Aiyar’s prediction and said it was only his personal view. Venugopal also claimed that Aiyar is no longer in the party.

However, Aiyar strongly reacted to this and attacked Venugopal directly. He criticised the Congress leadership for giving importance to leaders like Venugopal and spokespersons like Pawan Khera.

“Can you imagine what is the condition of a party which raises a rowdy like KC Venugopal to the level of Sardar Patel, to Rahul Gandhi? That is all I need to say as an answer,” Aiyar told ANI.

He further added that the party has become foolish by giving such people major positions.

Aiyar also made harsh remarks about Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, calling him an unprincipled careerist. He accused Tharoor of trying to get closer to the BJP and even claimed that Tharoor wants to become Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign minister.

“I have never met a more unprincipled careerist than Shashi Tharoor. He is now trying to become Modi’s foreign minister,” Aiyar said.

These comments are expected to increase tension inside the Kerala Congress unit, where Tharoor and VD Satheesan are considered major faces.

The BJP quickly entered the issue and used Aiyar’s remarks to target the Congress. Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai attacked Aiyar and said his statement shows a political understanding between Congress and the Left in Kerala.

Annamalai reminded people of Aiyar’s past remarks against PM Modi and questioned why Congress continues to keep him in the party. He also claimed that Congress is weakening in Kerala while the BJP is gaining strength.

Annamalai said Aiyar endorsing Vijayan shows “broken ideologies” and suggested that Congress may have accepted defeat in Kerala.

BJP leader CR Kesavan also attacked the Congress, saying Aiyar’s comments prove that Rahul Gandhi has become a political burden for the party. He also said Aiyar’s statement shows a lack of confidence in the Congress leadership and predicted that Congress will lose in Kerala.

Amid speculation that he may be leaving the party, Aiyar repeated that he is still in Congress. He said he is not joining any other political party, but added that if Congress removes him, he will still speak out.

“I am in the Congress. I am not joining any party. If Congress throws me out, I will find my voice,” he said.

Aiyar also admitted that no other party may want him and mentioned his early political background. He said he was a communist during his college days in Cambridge, but added that even communist parties may not accept him now.

He also referred to Sonia Gandhi calling him a “loose cannon,” showing that he has been known for controversial statements even in the past.

Aiyar also made comments about past Indian politics. He said former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao was “the first BJP prime minister” because he believed Babri Masjid would not have been demolished under a different government. He also claimed that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government was the last Congress government in India.

With Kerala elections approaching, Aiyar’s statements have added fresh trouble for the Congress, raising concerns about internal unity and leadership issues at a crucial time.