Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar offered an introspective and detailed account of his long but sporadic interactions with Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi, acknowledging how deeply intertwined his political career has been with the Gandhi family. In a recent interview with PTI, the 83-year-old politician admitted that while the Gandhis played an instrumental role in shaping his rise in politics, they were also pivotal in his fall from grace within the Congress Party. His revelations highlighted the complexities of his relationship with the family and the internal workings of the party over the years.
Aiyar shared that despite his decades-long association with the Congress, he often found himself distanced from the top leadership. He disclosed that for an entire decade, he was not granted a one-on-one meeting with Sonia Gandhi, who led the Congress through critical periods. “For 10 years, I was not given an opportunity to meet Sonia Gandhi one-on-one. I was not given an opportunity, except once, of spending any meaningful time with Rahul Gandhi. And I have not spent time with Priyanka except on one occasion, no, two occasions. She comes on the phone to me, so I am in touch with them,” Aiyar remarked, emphasizing the limited and formal nature of his engagements with the family.
Reflecting on his interactions with Rahul Gandhi, Aiyar recounted an incident that underscored his constrained relationship with the Congress scion. He explained how, during his suspension from the party, he had to approach Priyanka Gandhi to convey his birthday wishes to Rahul. “I happened to meet her (Priyanka Gandhi), and she has always been very kind to me. And I thought that since Rahul’s birthday was in June, I could ask her to convey my greetings to Rahul,” Aiyar recalled. To his surprise, Priyanka questioned why he couldn’t reach out to Rahul directly. Aiyar replied candidly, “I am suspended and therefore I can’t talk to my leader.”
Taking the opportunity to communicate his sentiments more formally, Aiyar revealed that he wrote a letter to Rahul Gandhi, framing it as a birthday greeting but also using it to raise questions about his status in the party. However, much to his disappointment, he received no acknowledgment for the letter. “I wrote out a letter... well, it was an excuse, birthday greetings in the first paragraph and then asking the questions about my position in the party. I never got any acknowledgment for that letter,” he shared, hinting at the apparent indifference from the leadership toward his concerns.
Aiyar also touched upon his few interactions with Priyanka Gandhi, describing them as cordial but infrequent. He noted that while she has reached out to him over the phone occasionally, their in-person meetings have been minimal. He recalled two specific instances where he had meaningful conversations with her, but beyond that, their communication remained limited.
Throughout the interview, Aiyar reflected on the duality of his relationship with the Gandhi family. While he acknowledged their instrumental role in elevating him to prominence in Congress, he also pointed out how the lack of access to the leadership, especially during critical junctures, contributed to his political isolation. Despite these challenges, Aiyar’s tone carried an undertone of respect and gratitude, suggesting that his loyalty to the Congress and its leadership remains steadfast, even if his journey has been marked by setbacks and misunderstandings.
Aiyar’s candid remarks paint a vivid picture of the inner workings of the Congress Party and the centrality of the Gandhi family in its functioning. His experiences offer insight into the complexities of political loyalty, the challenges of maintaining proximity to power, and the personal sacrifices involved in navigating a long and storied career in Indian politics.
