NEW DELHI: Days after publicly hoping for Pinarayi Vijayan‘s victory in the upcoming Kerala elections, veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar claimed West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is central to that the survival of the opposition INDIA bloc.In an interview to news agency IANS, Aiyar suggested that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should allow leaders of smaller parties to steer the INDIA bloc.“Without Mamata di, the ‘I’, ‘N’, ‘D’, ‘I’, ‘A’ of the INDIA alliance all will be gone. Because Mamata Banerjee is the leader of this alliance,” Aiyar said.“I hope that instead of trying to remain in this position, which belongs to smaller parties – be it Stalin, Mamata Didi, Akhilesh, Tejashwi, or someone else – Rahul Gandhi should let them handle it,” he added.Recalling his early political association with Mamata Banerjee, Aiyar said he briefly joined the Trinamool Congress in 1997 and served as its first National Secretary but left within weeks, concluding that the party was rooted in Bengali identity.Responding on whether he is still in Congress, Aiyar said that he still consider himself in the party, but suggested a possible disciplinary action against him.“I consider myself to be in Congress, but it seems they may have decided to expel me. However, I have not received any formal letter,” Aiyar said.He added that although reports suggested he had been expelled, he had received no official communication.“If you want the Congress’ view, ask a Congressman,” Aiyar remarked, while also saying that he believed many within the Congress support Mamata Banerjee.Earlier, Aiyar praised Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala, led by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.Things escalated rapidly when Aiyar, speaking to ANI, dismissed the authority of the current Congress leadership and declared: “I am a Gandhian, I am a Nehruvian, I am a Rajivian, but I am not a Rahulian.“Invoking BR Ambedkar’s description of dissent as being “a part but apart”, Aiyar positioned himself as an ideological insider with the right to rebel. The tone, however, soon turned confrontational.Targeting Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, Aiyar said: “I have absolutely no respect and complete contempt for Pawan Khera… He is not a spokesperson, he is a parrot.”Within hours, Congress distanced itself from the remarks and publicly sever any association with Aiyar.Khera issued a statement on X distancing the party from Aiyar’s comments: “Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar has had no connection whatsoever with the Congress for the past few years. He speaks and writes purely in his personal capacity.”