The political atmosphere in New Delhi has grown tense as a major rift within the Congress party has become public. The veteran politician and former Union Minister, Mani Shankar Aiyar, has sparked a heated debate following his recent comments regarding the party’s leadership and its direction in Kerala. This internal conflict reached a boiling point on Monday when Aiyar invoked the legacy of BR Ambedkar to defend his position after the Congress party tried to distance itself from his recent praise of the Left-led government in Kerala.

The controversy began when Aiyar openly lauded the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. When the party leadership signaled their disapproval, Aiyar did not hold back. Speaking to the news agency ANI, he delivered a sharp and personal jibe directed at Rahul Gandhi. Clarifying his ideological stance, he remarked that while he remains committed to the party's foundational roots, he does not align with the current leadership style. He famously stated: “There is a biography of Dr Ambedkar which says ‘a part but apart.’ So that’s the only thing I can say. Mr Rahul Gandhi has forgotten that I am a member of the party, and therefore I am a Gandhian, I am a Nehruvian, I am a Rajivian, but I am not a Rahulian.”

Aiyar’s defiance was not limited to ideological labels; he also took aim at the individuals currently managing the party's public image. He expressed a deep-seated frustration with the current organizational structure, specifically mentioning Pawan Khera. Aiyar insisted that his loyalty to the party remains, despite his grievances with its officials. He told reporters: “I am in the Congress party, I haven’t left it. If Pawan Khera is going to expel me, I will happily go outside and kick his backside after I have left.”

The veteran leader went further, explaining that he has "no respect complete contempt for" Pawan Khera. Aiyar questioned whether the leadership realizes how these internal dynamics appear to the voting public, particularly in Kerala. He contrasted the current state of Congress with the discipline he perceives in the rival camp, saying: "Do you think the people of Kerala don't know what is happening in Congress leadership? At least in Pinarayi's government there is discipline. They have no Mani Shankar Aiyars. I am Mani Shankar Aiyar because Nehru was a rebel against Gandhi, Subhash Bose was a rebel against Gandhi. Yet Gandhi made Jawaharlal Nehru the PM of India. If Subhas Bose had survived the aircrash on 17th August 1945, I am certain he would have been the President of India."

Aiyar used these historical examples to criticize how the modern Congress handles internal disagreement. He argued that the party’s past giants flourished despite their differences, whereas today’s leadership relies on figures he views as mere mouthpieces. He lamented: "So, that is how they dealt with dissidence. How does the present Congress deal with it? They put somebody like Pawan Khera as the official spokesman. I have absolutely no respect and complete contempt for Pawan Khera."

The verbal attack grew even more intense as Aiyar described Khera as a "puppet" and a "parrot" who simply echoes the words of party MP Jairam Ramesh. He challenged Khera’s credentials and loyalty to the Congress cause, stating: "I want you to send a message to Pawan Khera. He has allied with MA Baby in Delhi and he is getting upset about my being allied with Pinarayi Vijayan here. What kind of Congressi is he? Above all, how stupid can a party be than to make Pawan Khera the spokesman? There are a million people in Congress who would make a better spokesman. This chap is just a puppet, he is saying whatever Jairam Ramesh tells him. He repeats the same thing, he is not a spokesman, he is a parrot."

Aiyar also turned his attention to the Congress General Secretary, KC Venugopal, comparing him unfavorably to historic figures of the party. He asked: "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."

This firestorm was ignited on Sunday during an international seminar titled “Vision 2031: Development and Democracy.” There, Aiyar expressed his hope that the Left government would return to power, even asking Chief Minister Vijayan to take over the responsibilities he feels Congress has abandoned. He told the audience: “I do not know whether this is a compliment or an insult, but I deeply regret the absence of my party colleagues on this occasion, which is a state occasion and therefore a national occasion. While Kerala is the first state in panchayati raj in practice, it ranks only second in law.”

In a dramatic gesture, Aiyar pleaded with the Chief Minister to lead the way in local governance. He stated: “So, in the presence of the chief minister, who I am confident will continue in office, I renew my plea — to reinforce Kerala as the best panchayati raj state in the country. Therefore, I must fall at your feet, Chief Minister Vijayan, and request you to pick up the baton that the Congress has dropped. Thank you, and may Kerala prosper.”

Unsurprisingly, these comments were met with swift rejection from the party headquarters. Pawan Khera took to the platform X to clarify that Aiyar’s views do not represent the party, stating that “Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar has had no connection whatsoever with the Congress for the past few years. He speaks and writes purely in his personal capacity.”

Jairam Ramesh, the General Secretary in charge of communications, also dismissed Aiyar’s claims, asserting that the United Democratic Front (UDF) is on track to win in Kerala. He remarked: “Let there be no doubt. The people of Kerala will bring the UDF back for more responsible and responsive governance. They also know the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are covert partners.”