Aiyar gave supari in Pak to remove me: PM Modi

New Delhi: Continuing his attack on Mani Shankar Aiyar for the second day in a row, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused the suspended Congress leader of giving ‘supari’ (contract) during a visit to Pakistan with an aim to get him (Modi) “removed” from the way to ensure peace between India and the neighbouring country.

“After I became Prime Minister, this man (Aiyar) went to Pakistan and met some Pakistanis. All this thing is available on the social media. In that meeting, he is seen discussing with Pakistanis that ‘jab tak Modi ko raste se hataya nahi jata’ (until Modi is not removed from the way), relationship between India and Pakistan cannot improve,” Modi said, while addressing a gathering of people in small town of Banaskantha district in North Gujarat.

“Someone told me what is the meaning of ‘raste se hatana’. You had gone to Pakistan to give ‘supari’. You wanted to give Modi’s ‘supari’ (contract killing),” the PM said, alleging that the Congress had tried to suppress this episode and did not take any action against Aiyar.

The Prime Minister was referring to a controversy that had erupted in 2015 when Aiyar reportedly made the controversial statement during a TV talk show in Pakistan. When the anchor of Duniya TV asked what is to be done to end the stalemate in the relations between the two nations, Aiyar responded, “The first and the foremost thing is to remove Modi.

Only then can the talks move forward. We have to wait for four more years. They (panelists) are all optimist and that we can move forward when Modi sahab is there, but I don’t think so.” He further said, “Bring us (the Congress) back to power and remove them. There is no other way (to better the relations). We will remove them, but till then you (Pakistan) have to wait.”

“This conversation took place three years back. The Congress party had tried to suppress this episode…They did not take any action against him for last three years,” Modi alleged. “What is my crime? This country’s people have elected me in a democratic way, and you go to Pakistan and say that this man is coming in the way and remove him!” Modi, however, said people need not worry, saying ‘Maa Ambe’ (goddess) is protecting him.

The latest attack comes a day after Aiyar triggered a political firestorm when he called Modi a “neech kism ka aadmi” (lowly person), leaving the Congress red-faced ahead of first phase of voting in Gujarat. However, the party suspended Aiyar from its primary membership and the A K Antony-headed disciplinary action committee issued him a show-cause notice. Modi also cornered the Congress over its work culture, alleging that the grand old party believes in ‘atkana’ (to stall) ‘latkana’ (to keep the issue hanging) and ‘bhatkana’ (to divert an issue). Referring to Aiyar’s remarks, Modi said, “Let us not talk about that abuse, as people of Gujarat will look into it and give a reply and they (Congress) will know the result on December 18,” he said.