Did Rajiv Gandhi Fail Academically Twice at Cambridge University? Mani Shankar Aiyar Embarrasses Congress

Veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has embarrassed his party after claiming that former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi failed twice at Cambridge University.

What's In The Viral Video?

In a viral video doing rounds on social media sites, Aiyar is heard saying, "He is a pilot. He has failed twice. I was with him at Cambridge. He failed there. And failing in Cambridge is very difficult. It is easy to get a first-class. This is because the university wants to maintain its image and tries to ensure everyone at least passes. Then he went to Imperial College, London, and failed again. So I thought how can such a person be Prime Minister?"

In an interview streamed on the YouTube portal The Ewer (Chill-Pill), he was asked whether Rahul Gandhi has the capability to lead the grand old party. Responding to the question, Aiyar mentioned how Indiran Gandhi was once called "gungi gudiya" (a mute doll).

He then drifted to Rajiv Gandhi's academic failures. He said, "But I now say he was an excellent Prime Minister." He then noted how Sonia Gandhi was targeted for her foreign origin and her rise in Indian politics.

Aiyar Ready To Mentor Rahul Gandhi

However, the Gandhi family loyalist claimed that he does not know how Rahul take decisions. "But I know their family history. That tells me they may seem incapable initially, but a change comes when they face challenges and show their capability. So we will see," he added. In the same interview, Mani Shankar Aiyar was asked whether he was ready to mentor Rahul, he said, "I have been ready to mentor him for 20 years. He does not want it. He dislikes me. And who am I to impose my opinion on him?"

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Amit Malviya shared the clip and took a potshot at the Congress. He added, "Rajiv Gandhi struggled academically, even failing at Cambridge, where passing is relatively easy. He then moved to Imperial College London but failed there as well... Many questioned how someone with his academic record could become the Prime Minister. Let the veil be stripped."

On the other hand, the Congress has slammed Aiyar for his remarks. Party leader Harish Rawat said that Aiyar was a "frustrated individual" and praised Rajiv Gandhi for giving a modern outlook to the country. "He took concrete steps for the liberalisation of the economy as well. Unfortunately, a section of the party (Congress) did not stand with him, or else the country's history would have been something else," Rawat added.

Congress MP Tarique Anwar said, "Failing is not a big deal; even the best people fail sometimes. But he did not fail in politics. When he was given the responsibility and became Prime Minister, I believe there have been very few Prime Ministers in our country who have achieved as much in just five years."