PM Narendra Modi plays caste card after Mani Shankar Aiyar's 'neech' remark

NEW DELHI: Mani Shankar Aiyar has got his party some bad rating again. The Congress leader, famous for dismissing Narendra Modi as a chaiwallah in 2014, called the prime minister a neech aadmi (low-life) on Thursday. The jab, which comes during the crucial elections in Gujarat, gives the BJP enough fodder against the Congress.

Aiyar said the PM lacked civility. “Mujhko lagta hai ki ye aadmi bahut neech kisam ka aadmi hai, isme koi sabhyata nahi hai, or aise mauke par is kisam ki gandi rajniti karne ki kya avashyakta hai? (This man is a low-life person, he isn't cultured... at this moment why does he need to practice such dirty politics?” he told reporters on Thursday.

Though Congress distanced itself from Aiyar's remark, Modi tried to cash in on it while addressing a rally in Surat.


"Congress leaders are speaking in a language that is not acceptable in a democracy. One Congress leader, who has studied in best institutions, served as a diplomat, was a Minister in Cabinet, says Modi is 'Neech.' This is insulting. This is nothing but a Mughal mindset," said Modi.

The PM said voters will teach Congress a lesson for such language.

"What all have they called us- donkeys, Neech, Gandi Naali Ke Keede...the people of Gujarat will give a fitting reply to such deplorable language. They can call me 'Neech'- Yes, I am from the poor section of society and will spend every moment of my life to work for the poor, Dalits, Tribals and OBC communities. They can keep their language, we will do our work."