Why Congress doesn't need elitism of Sam Pitroda and Aiyar
What's the story
Politics is all about connecting with people. Voters want to see their reflection in their representatives. If they fail to strike a chord, how will they raise important issues?
But the recent incidents have shown that Congress leaders have strayed far from reality. Ensconced in their bubble of elitism, they refuse to open their eyes.
Confused? Allow us to tell you what we mean.
Series of events
Years ago, Aiyar took political discourse to a new low
In 2017, Mani Shankar Aiyar sparked a massive controversy when he called Prime Minister Narendra Modi "Neech aadmi (vile person)". His comments, bang in the middle of Gujarat assembly elections, were used by BJP to show Congress resorted to personal attacks.
Aiyar was suspended from the party, but the damage was done.
On Monday, Aiyar revived the debate by claiming he was "prophetic".
Article
Reviving the 'neech' debate, Aiyar justified his remarks
Aiyar clearly didn't learn any lesson. On Monday, he wrote an article for Rising Kashmir which was reproduced by The Print in which he justified his "neech" remark.
He compared PM Modi's "stunningly illiterate claims" with former Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru's education, to bring the BJP leader down.
The 78-year-old leader also made fun of PM Modi's cloud-radar theory on Balakot strikes.
Quote
"Did Modi take his senior-most Air Force officers for fools?"
"Did Modi take his senior-most Air Force officers for fools that he could trot out such ridiculous unscientific rubbish before them? And were they so pusillanimous that they dared not correct such a vacuous Prime Minister," Aiyar wrote.
Pitroda
Earlier, Sam Pitroda revealed his insensitive side
With his affluent English, Aiyar hoped to tell people why PM Modi's governance was poor. But he ended up telling why he is a liability for Congress.
Aiyar is not the only one who has created a nuisance for the grand old party.
This election season, Sam Pitroda, the overseas chief of Congress, trumped Aiyar by showing how insensitive he really is.
Words
Pitroda insulted Pulwama martyrs, showed insensitivity towards riot victims
In an attempt to slam BJP for Pulwama attack, Pitroda said such terrorist activities happened all the time but sending jets for revenge wasn't an ideal response.
Last week, Pitroda said "1984 mein hua to hua" while referring to the anti-Sikh riots which sparked after Indira Gandhi was assassinated.
Facing flak, Pitroda said BJP twisted his words and blamed his poor Hindi.
Reply
PM Modi didn't mince his words, berated Opposition leaders
As expected, PM Modi jumped on the opportunity. He said Pitroda's comments were an embodiment of Congress' arrogance and shouldn't be seen as a standalone case.
After Aiyar called him "neech" again, PM Modi said, "They can't win so they are venting their frustration by abusing (me)."
He said the writing on the wall is clear, and Opposition leaders are angry.
Effect
These statements might not make a difference, but spell trouble
Here's the thing: At this point in elections, when the last phase is just four days away, these statements will hardly make a difference.
No matter how much PM Modi and BJP want to milk these opportunities, the last set of voters would have made up their mind.
But these personal attacks, show Congress leaders' apathy.
Opinion
Congress leaders don't know what's happening and they don't care
While Congress built its 2019 campaign around empathy and NYAY (the party has promised to give Rs. 72,000/year to 5 crore families), the leaders have done nothing but rekindled old wounds.
It only shows that neither are they apologetic about what happened in the past nor do warnings and suspensions affect them.
Their non-sympathetic opinions explain why Congress is struggling to stay relevant.