Overview
- Aiyar told PTI he identifies as Gandhian, Nehruvian and Rajivian but not Rahulian, citing generational distance and lack of working overlap with Rahul Gandhi.
- He reiterated his forecast that Kerala’s Left Democratic Front under Pinarayi Vijayan will retain power, despite saying he prefers a Congress-led UDF win.
- Congress leaders said Aiyar’s statements reflect only his personal opinion and stressed he is not currently in the party.
- Union minister Kiren Rijiju used the episode to argue the Congress has declined under Rahul Gandhi and questioned retaining the same leader after three straight defeats.
- Aiyar said he rejects calling himself an Indiravian due to his opposition to the Emergency and also issued sharp personal barbs at Congress figures including Shashi Tharoor and K C Venugopal.