Demand for the removal of Union Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor twitted in the Congress quarters for the first time even as the first-time minister tendered his apology for his online remarks on the austerity measures taken by the party.
Condemning Tharoor for his “derogatory cattle class” remarks, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot advised him to “tender resignation”. The Congress party also hinted at “appropriate action at appropriate time”.
However, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today sought to downplay Tharoor’s remarks on the social website Twitter, saying the remarks were just a joke. The prime minister was speaking to reporters at an Iftar party hosted by him.
Defending Gehlot’s call for his removal, the party retained pressure on Tharoor, and said such remarks were bound to provoke reactions. “When you make such statements, of course there will be some reactions. The Congress will take appropriate action in appropriate time,” party spokesman Manish Tiwari said.
In Jaipur, on the sidelines of an Iftar party hosted by him on Thursday evening, Gehlot said: “Tharoor is occupying a responsible and most dignified post and he should have not made such condemnable and unfortunate remarks.” The Rajasthan CM added that Tharoor should not only tender an apology to the country but also submit his resignation.
Hours after Gehlot called for his removal, Tharoor, currently in Africa, went back to Twitter and posted his apology to all those hurt by his “cattle class” remarks. Tharoor had earlier written on Twitter that he would continue to “travel in cattle class in solidarity with all our holy cows.”
Under pressure after the party slammed his Twitter remarks, Tharoor also admitted that the cattle class was “a silly expression but means no disrespect to economy class travellers, only to airlines for herding us in like cattle”. But the minister also didn’t use the opportunity to mention “I now realise I shouldn’t assume people will appreciate humour. And you shouldn’t give those who would wilfully distort your words an opportunity to do so”.
Tharoor also clarified that he didn’t target any individual when he mentioned “holy cow”. The minister of state for external affairs added: “Holy cows are NOT individuals but sacrosanct issues or principles that no one dares challenge. Wish critics would look it up.”
Reacting to the news of sarcastic remarks uploaded by Tharoor’s officer on special duty on Twitter, Tiwari said: “I would not like to dignify comments of an aide by reacting from this forum. I also urge the media not to give undue and unnecessary importance to a person who has no contribution in public life.”
The party maintained that Tharoor’s comments were unacceptable and insensitive.
this is not an issue. though tharoor has become a bait, but modi must be questioned. where the ipl franchise money going? how much tax he's paying? apart from that who're the beneficiaries of ipl matches? how much bets and auction's taking place? why the govt is not taking care of all these things? betting is banned, but its going on in IPL. whether sharad pawar is having the betting amount too? why modi is more interested in getting franchisee to other areas apart from kerala? let CBI have the answer?
Tharoor is learning the hard way what real world politics is all about. In public one must be very politically correct and must always display in public ones "humility" and "ordinariness" no matter how synthetic. Tharoor owes his post solely due to his godfather Rahul Gandhi, yet he has not picked up cues from his "leader" like spending nights in dalit households (with photographers in tow) even if after such an ordeal Rahul has to doubly wash himself to rid of the odours of poverty and recuperate in his air conditioned, sprawling, palatial, well fortified Lutyens designed bungalow. Tharoor should know he is seen as an upstart by many in the Congress and the first shot fired by Ashok Gehlot is warning for him to mend his ways or else be ready to face the sack.
It is not the comment Mr Tharoor made which is important. what is important is the mentality with which a minister is working. Only sesible people ,which ofcourse is a rare commodity, can save us from these NAHARAJAS.
What we have here, Ladies and Gentlemen, is a 21st century witch hunt.
Welcome to : The Ritual Abuse Of Shashi Tharoor
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Sashi Tharoor need a lot of training to be positioned in the cabinet. Every time he cannot expect the PM to rescue him. He is still new to the cabinet and also unaware of the sensitivity of the issues. UN is different place, in India, he should weigh his words once he spell out or write.
Forget this latest flutter over his twitter. What about his comment defending the inclusion of Balochistan in a document signed by the Heads of State of India and Pakistan? This guy should quit.
The entire subject is side tracked by commnets after commnets Holy Cows.It is a waste of time for media to publish this kind of news. Instead, they cold highlight the ideas, suggestions to reduce the expenses on Govt. Press with all thier expereince can come donw on this to suggest Govt.
Closer of few Govt departments, which cuases duplicating of paper work, costing time, money corruption fo citiznes.. Couple of years of back, Govt has an idea to close down few offices. Let them attend.
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