New Delhi, March 6 -- Mani Shankar Aiyar is not on bad terms with the Gandhis, but in a candid interview with YouTube channel The Ewer (Chill-Pill), the Congress veteran revealed his surprise when Rajiv Gandhi became India's prime minister despite having failed twice while studying in the UK. He also spoke about Rahul Gandhi's apparent indifference towards him despite his willingness to mentor him for the past 20 years.

Fully aware of the controversy his latest interview would stir, former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar expressed relief that the Congress leadership had already clarified that his views do not reflect the party's stance.

Aiyar's statements have frequently put the Congress in an awkward position, often providing the BJP...