New Delhi, February 17 Veteran leader Mani Shankar Aiyar on Tuesday said that if the Congress cannot tolerate dissent, it is the party's "doom," and if it doesn't have the courage to respond to dissenting voices in a "polite but firm manner," it doesn't deserve to rule.
Aiyar also recalled former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's words in Parliament in 1989, stating that "only a secular Bharat can survive," and challenged the Congress high command to have his son, Rahul Gandhi, repeat those words.
"The Congress thrives on dissent, and the Congress grows because of the many opinions, all of which are connected to the Vedic injunction that God is one, and the Congress is one," Aiyar said.
"However, there are many paths that lead to God, and in a similar way, there are many paths that lead to the Congress. Unfortunately, this lesson seems to have been forgotten by the current leadership," Aiyar said in a video released as part of his series, 'Mani Talk,' on YouTube.
He has been uploading videos on his YouTube channel for the past few months.
"Those who honestly disagree remain within the political sphere. Those who dishonestly create dissent face consequences, perhaps even divine retribution. Therefore, if the current leadership cannot tolerate dissent, it is the doom of the Congress," the former Union minister said.
"We have always thrived on dissent, and dissent is the foundation of democracy. If we lack the courage to respond to dissent in a polite but firm manner, then we don't deserve to rule," Aiyar said in his 23-minute video titled 'No Space for Dissent in Today’s Congress?'
He recalled that in May 1989, Rajiv Gandhi had stated in Parliament that only a secular Bharat can survive. Rajiv Gandhi had followed this with, "...and if India is not secular, then perhaps it doesn't deserve to survive."
"I urge the Congress high command, who have kept me out of the working committee, which now has 60 members: do you have the courage to have your son, Rajiv Gandhi, repeat those words...words that are on record in Parliament and were spoken by Rajiv Gandhi? Rajiv Gandhi amar rahe," Aiyar said.
During the video, Aiyar cited several instances of dissent within the Congress during the times of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi.
Speaking about the period when Indira Gandhi was Prime Minister, Aiyar said, "She was able to manage differences with the Syndicate. But when she broke with the Syndicate, only because there was dissent, she declared the Emergency, which was the only way she could remain Prime Minister. What was the outcome?"
"The Congress not only lost, but Indira Gandhi lost her Rae Bareli seat, and Sanjay Gandhi lost his Amethi seat. This is what happens when you suppress dissent in the Congress," he said.
He pointed out that during Rajiv Gandhi's time, Arif Mohammad Khan was the first to raise his voice in dissent.
"He (Khan) is now seeking to become the Vice President of the BJP. He is actually in the BJP. Another significant rebel was VP Singh. VP Singh was Rajiv Gandhi's closest finance minister, and it was not the Congress that forced VP Singh out; it was VP Singh who left the Congress," the Congress veteran said.
"Similarly, Arun Nehru was the most powerful voice in the Congress, but when Rajiv Gandhi discovered that he was responsible for opening the gates of the Babri Masjid and allowing the Ram Lalla Virajman to enter, he dismissed Arun Nehru from the cabinet. Arun Nehru then left the Congress in fury," he recalled.
Later, it emerged that Arun Nehru was responsible for the Bofors scandal, Aiyar claimed.
These remarks come amid deteriorating relations between Aiyar and the Congress. This began when Aiyar, speaking in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, expressed confidence that Pinarayi Vijayan of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) will continue to be the Chief Minister of Kerala at an international seminar in Thiruvananthapuram, which was inaugurated by Vijayan.
At the event, Aiyar said, "Therefore, in the presence of the Chief Minister, who I am sure will be the next Chief Minister, I reiterate my plea that in order to strengthen Kerala as the best panchayati raj state in the country, state laws should be amended based on practical experience, Thomas Isaac's insights, the five-volume report I chaired, and the note on district planning by V K Ramachandran circulated by the Planning Commission, which truly supported panchayati raj."
The Congress distanced itself from Aiyar's remarks, stating that he has had no connection whatsoever with the party for the last few years, and that he speaks and writes purely in his personal capacity.
The grand old party also asserted that the people of Kerala will bring the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) back to power in the southern state for more responsible and responsive governance.
On Monday, Aiyar went on a verbal attack against his party colleagues, a day after remarking that the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) would retain power in Kerala.
In a series of scathing remarks, Aiyar branded Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor an "unprincipled careerist," labelled AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal a "rowdy," and took a dig at party veteran Ramesh Chennithala.
Aiyar also targeted Pawan Khera, referring to Congress national spokesperson as a "tattu" (pony). Aiyar was responding when asked about a social media post by Khera distancing the party from his remarks.