Modi slams Aiyar over 'neech' remark, says it shows Congress's 'Mughlai Mindset'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday slammed Mani Shankar Aiyar for calling him “neech” and said his comment showed the “Mughalai Mindset” of the Congress party.

Modi said the language Congress leaders are speaking is not acceptable in a democracy and people will answer them with their votes.

“One Congress leader, who has studied in best institutions, served as a diplomat, was a Minister in Cabinet, he said Modi is 'Neech.' This is insulting. This is nothing but a Mughalai Mindset,” PM Modi said while addressing a rally in Surat.

“Let them keep calling me 'Neech' we will not respond. We do not have this mindset and want to congratulate them for theirs. If anything- we will answer them for their mindset with our votes on 9th and 14^th,” he said.

BJP also responded strongly and criticised Aiyyar for his “neech” comment saying the party is proud of PM Modi and Aiyar's mindset is a 'darbaari' one.

Also Read | After Rahul Gandhi's directions, Aiyer apologises to PM Modi for 'neech' remark

“Mani Shankar Aiyar has called our PM 'neech' but we are proud of our Prime Minister, he has answered (Mani Shankar Aiyar) very politely & sensibly. Aiyar's mindset is a 'darbaari' one,” Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said while addressing a press conference.

In a controversial remark, Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had Thursday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “neech aadmi” (vile man), who does “dirty politics”.

“He (Modi) is ‘neech kism ka aadmi’ (a vile man) who has no ‘sabhyata’ (civility),” he said, attacking Modi after the latter accused the Congress of seeking votes in B R Ambedkar’s but trying to erase his contribution to building India.

This was not the first time the senior Congress leader has used derogatory language against Modi. During 2014 Lok Sabha polls, he had called Modi a "Chai wala", and Congress party had to pay big for his remarks.