There is lot to learn from AAP: Mani Shankar Aiyar

Congress leader says the way AAP devised their poll strategy and they managed their election campaign is praiseworthy

Rubbishing BJP leader Nitin Gadkari's claim that a businessman brokered a deal between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and his party, senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar Sunday said there was a lot to learn from the new political outfit.

"There is a lot to learn from AAP, the party's youthfulness and enthusiasm, the way they devised their poll strategy as well as how efficiently they managed their election campaign, mixing out with the common man," Aiyar told reporters in the West Bengal capital, where he was attending a conference on spirituality.

Following its spectacular electoral performance on its debut and forming the government in Delhi, the AAP has been receiving accolades from across the political spectrum, with even Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi saying he would learn from the success of the new party.

Aiyar also attacked Gadkari, who earlier had alleged that a reputed industrialist got the AAP to tie up with the Congress to "stop BJP at any cost" from coming to power in Delhi.

"It doesn't matter what Gadkari says, he is himself a corporate lobbyist," said Aiyar as he cautioned the people about the consequences of letting the Bharatiya Janata Party led by Narendra Modi come to power at the centre.

"The BJP and the RSS, which take pride in Hindutva, are a threat to the unity and integrity of the country. It will be unfortunate for the country if a communal man like Modi becomes the prime minister.

"Congress's commitment towards preserving the country's integrity and secularism demands that we use all our might to keep communal forces at bay," said Aiyar.

Talking about A.K. Ganguly, retired Supreme Court judge accused of sexual harassment, the diplomat-turned-politician put the onus on stepping down as West Bengal Human Rights Commission chief on the former judge.

After a Supreme Court probe panel found Ganguly guilty of "unwelcome" behaviour, there has been a nationwide chorus for him to resign as chief of the rights panel.