Made My Career, Then Unmade It! Congress' Mani Shankar Aiyar's Makes Big Allegations Against Gandhis

Mani Shankar Aiyar, a senior Congress leader, has expressed that the Gandhi family was instrumental in both his political ascent and decline. "The irony of my life is that my political career was made by the Gandhis and unmade by the Gandhis," he stated. Despite his long association with the party, Aiyar claims he had limited direct interactions with key Gandhi family members.

During an interview with PTI, Aiyar shared that for a decade, he wasn't granted a private meeting with Sonia Gandhi. His interactions with Rahul Gandhi were also minimal, having only one significant encounter. He mentioned spending time with Priyanka Gandhi on just two occasions, though she occasionally called him to maintain some contact.

Communication Challenges

Aiyar recounted an instance where he relied on Priyanka Gandhi to relay birthday wishes to Rahul Gandhi while he was suspended from the party. He described Priyanka as kind and noted her willingness to pass on his greetings. When asked why he didn't convey them himself, Aiyar explained his suspension prevented direct communication.

The veteran leader also mentioned writing a letter to Rahul Gandhi. This letter started as a birthday greeting but also sought clarity regarding his suspension. However, Aiyar never received any acknowledgment for this correspondence.

Leadership Vacuum in 2012

Aiyar reflected on 2012 as a challenging year for Congress due to leadership issues. Sonia Gandhi's health problems and Dr Manmohan Singh's multiple bypass surgeries left the party without strong leadership. During this period, Aiyar believed Pranab Mukherjee had the charisma and energy to lead both the party and government effectively.

Despite these challenges, Aiyar emphasised Mukherjee's potential to fill the leadership void. He described Mukherjee as energetic and full of ideas, capable of managing either or both roles within Congress during that critical time.

Aiyar's experiences highlight the complexities within political relationships and communication barriers in parties. His reflections offer insights into internal dynamics and challenges faced by leaders in maintaining connections within their organisations.