Mani Shankar Aiyar says remarks on Kerala CM ‘blown out of proportion’
The Hindu
Mani Shankar Aiyar defends his comments on Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, calling media reactions exaggerated and misinterpreted.
Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar on Monday (February 16, 2026) claimed that his remark that Pinarayi Vijayan would be the “next” Chief Minister of Kerala was “blown out of proportion” by the media.
Mr. Aiyar said the comment was just “half a line” in his speech and that it was exaggerated.
"It was only half a line in that speech which has been blown out of proportion," he said.
However, he said the LDF government in Kerala was “doing outstanding work.”
"I made the speech after hearing Mary Joseph, who is the Principal Secretary of the Planning Board. She listed the achievements....," he said.
On some Congress leaders claiming that Mr. Aiyar was not connected with the party anymore, the former MP said that only AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge could oust him from the organisation.
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