This refers to the editorial, “A vile tongue” (December 9). Though Mani Shankar Aiyar tried to wash away his hands of the controversy, his explanation cuts no ice. Poor-Hindi is also a lame excuse offered by Aiyar because being a Delhi resident for long, his command over the Hindi language is second to none. Though a temporary axe has fallen on Aiyar, it is perplexing that his disgusting comments have always come at the wrong time for the party. His infamous and immoderate chaiwala description of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 had raised a hornet's nest and was condemned by one and all. The modest chaiwala has now became part of the modern dictionary.
So much so that many foreign dignitaries have used the refined version of the word to shower encomium on Prime Minister Narendra Modi who rose to great heights from humble beginnings. Aiyar's jibe at the popular Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998 needs no elaboration. The problem with the Congress is that it has ceased to be a party of mass leaders. It continues to be run by dispensable leaders. Politicians like Aiyar have survived because of their erudition and loyalty to the Gandhi family. Post-Gujarat election, Aiyar may as well be embraced back to the party fold. The Aiyar case will be an acid test for Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi. Whether or not Rahul has the gumption to do away with paper tigers like Aiyar is the moot question.