Never disclosed private matters during my service: Tharoor

Says it is indecent to disclose private talks on the record or off the record

Former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor, who was recently snubbed by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, today said he had "never disclosed private matters" on or off record as he feels that doing so is "indecent."

"Neither during my service in UN nor in politics have I ever disclosed private matters. I have never disclosed private talks, discussed behind closed doors, outside on the record or off the record," the MP from Thiruvananthapuram said.

The provocation for the snub was the alleged leak by him of his views against the party's stalling tactics in Parliament at a strategy meet of Congress on July 21.

"Whether at a family gathering or at a meeting of a company, school or party, different kinds of contacts, interactions and exchanges takes place....To take a small portion and leak it outside for someone's personal interest, isn't it indecent?," Tharoor asked.

However, Tharoor, who was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here, said he was not going to deny or confirm that he had sent a letter to Gandhi denying allegations from some quarters that he had leaked the contents of the party meeting to the media.

"I am not confirming or denying this. If I confirm or deny this, it means it is legitimate to talk on such things. I am against such practises," he said.

Tharoor had complained in a letter to Gandhi that his "sincere" services to the party have "neither been seen nor appreciated.