'I could not believe that Modi could become PM', says Mani Shankar Aiyar

Bengaluru, Aug 9: Congress senior leader and Rajya Sabha MP Mani Shankar Aiyar on Saturday, Aug 8, launched his much-talked about book, "Acche Din? Ha! Haa!", that aims to target the Modi government.

The book is a collection of Aiyar's articles on various topics, including the government's performance and the Congress.

The event was attended by panelists: Manish Sabarwal, CEO Teamlease, Rajeev Gowda, Congress MP, Nitin Pai, Co-founder, Takshashila Institute and Sharan Prakash Patil, Minister of Medical Education.

The panel discussion on Modi government's slogan of "Achhe din" and the one year of the NDA government performance sparked the event with fun and smile on most of the people, who were present at the event.

I could not believe that Modi could become PM: Aiyar

Aiyar, who is possibly one of the most entertaining Congress spokespersons, writer and a politician told OneIndia that "he could not believe that he (Narendra Modi) could possibly become the prime minister.

"I was stunned when he not only became the PM but won with a massive majority", he said.

"I was tracking the performance of the government on week by week basis in a diary that covered the performance of the Modi government. As far as "achhe din" are concerned, I would say, "Kaha gayen, Kaha gaye"(where, where)?

He also pointed out that there is a lot of sloganeering, but there is little achievement in terms of good governance.

Aiyar also said that quite contrary to my expectation, I was proved not just wrong but proved wholly wrong that Narendra Modi won with absolute majority.

In a lighter vein, he said, "My jaw is a little bit stuck with the reason that I am still unable to get over the victory of Modi. I was of the view that people like Donald Trump can become President of the United States but never Modi as Prime Minister of India."

He also criticised PM Modi by saying that he doesn't know the difference between Nalanda and Takshashila.

Aiyar said that Modi cannot step into the shoes of somebody like Jawahar Lal Nehru.

"Narendra Modi has pushed the agenda of skill development which was the programme taken under Manmohan Singh and the UPA regime and "Clean India" mission was started by Mahatma Gandhi", he said.

"The slogans and agendas are same but the ruling government is different, nothing has changed as said by PM Narendra Modi.

"Ache din" are yet to come", he said.

On BBMP elections

On being asked about the upcoming Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) elections, Aiyar said that the Congress will come with three-fourth majority.

BBMP elections are scheduled to be held on Saturday, Aug 22. [Bengaluru civic body polls on August 22, results to be declared on August 25]

Aiyar is a good mentor, says Rajeev Gowda

Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Gowda described Aiyar as, "one of the key persons, who took up the idea of Panchayati Raj, which was very close to Rajeev Gandhi's heart, the one who helped with 73rd and 74th amendment of the Constitution and being the untiring champion of revolution of power to the people."

Gowda further said that Aiyar is not only a generous speaker but a good mentor as well.

He also recounted that after being selected as the Rajya Sabha Member, "Mani invited me for breakfast and he spent lot of his time while generously giving me idea of how to be a successful parliamentarian."

On Aiyar's book, Gowda said that the book is inherent judgement and added that he also wanted to be a speaker like him.

OneIndia News