By Admin 
There has been an uproar over a statement by Congress leader and former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar. Iyer said on Sunday (February 15, 2026) that Kerala is the only state in India which has moved forward in the footsteps of Gandhiji. Which has progressed. Apart from this, he expressed confidence that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will retain his post in the upcoming assembly elections. However, Congress distanced itself from this.
Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had arrived in Thiruvananthapuram to address the Kerala government’s Vision 2031 International Conference on Development and Democracy. He said that it is strange that this is the only state in India which has progressed in the direction shown by Gandhiji. It is also ruled by the Marxist Leninist Party of India (CPIM). He said that I don’t know whether it is a compliment or an insult. I deeply regret the absence of my party colleagues on this occasion.
What else has Iyer said?
Iyer said that in the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, I am confident that he will be the next Chief Minister. I repeat my appeal. To make Kerala the best Panchayat state in the country, changes should also be made in the laws of the state based on the experiences we have. He said that the strange thing is that the state of Kerala is living up to the expectations of Congress Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi more than any other state. Kerala is actually the first state with Panchayati Raj. It is the second best state in the country in terms of law.
Congress shrugged off Aiyar’s statement, know what he said?
Congress is the main opposition party in Kerala. CPI (M) has remained in power in the state for two consecutive terms. She is hoping to return to power this year also. Now Congress leader Pawan Kheda has issued a statement on Iyer’s statement. He said that Mani Shankar Aiyar has had nothing to do with Congress for the last few years. He speaks and writes entirely based on his personal knowledge.