Congress distances itself from Mani Shankar Aiyar’s remarks on Kerala politics

The Indian National Congress on Sunday firmly distanced itself from veteran leader Mani Shankar Aiyar following his remarks predicting the continuation of Pinarayi Vijayan as the chief minister of Kerala, asserting that Aiyar has had no active organisational role in the party for the past few years and that his views are expressed purely in a personal capacity .

Ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections, Aiyar said on Sunday that Vijayan of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) would continue as chief minister. Reacting to the statement, Congress media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said that Aiyar has had no connection whatsoever with the Congress in recent years and does not speak on behalf of the party.

Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh endorsed Khera’s remarks and asserted that the people of Kerala would bring the United Democratic Front back to power for “more responsible and responsive governance.” He also alleged that the ruling Left Democratic Front and the Bharatiya Janata Party were covert partners.

Aiyar was speaking at an international seminar titled “Vision 2031: Development and Democracy” in Thiruvananthapuram, which was inaugurated by Vijayan. In his address, Aiyar focused on strengthening the panchayati raj system and recalled Mahatma Gandhi ’s vision of grassroots democracy where even the poorest citizens feel a sense of ownership in governance.

He said Kerala had made the most commendable progress towards that ideal and described it as ironic that the state leading in decentralised governance is ruled by a Marxist party. Aiyar also expressed regret over the absence of Congress leaders at what he termed a “state and therefore national occasion.”

Referring to panchayati raj reforms, Aiyar said Kerala ranked first in practice but second in law, noting that Karnataka had stronger legislation based on the recommendations of the Ramesh Kumar Committee. He urged amendments to Kerala’s laws drawing on practical experience, insights from Thomas Isaac , a five-volume report he chaired, and district planning notes by V K Ramachandran circulated earlier by the Planning Commission .

Calling Vijayan a potential torchbearer for decentralised governance, Aiyar appealed to him to “pick up the baton” to strengthen grassroots democracy. Vijayan later described Aiyar’s remarks as “charismatic words” and said they reflected the contemporary context, reaffirming the state government’s commitment to empowering local self-governments.