Rise and fall of Shashi Tharoor
For someone who has been a rookie in politics, Tharoor's story thus far has been phenomenal. A successful writer, a UN Diplomat - turned politician, in charge of Ministry of External Affairs, Tharoor seemed to be riding on a high wave.
FINALLY SHASHI Tharoor has returned to pavilion – hurt but perhaps not retired yet. Incessant media follow-up mostly results in bringing out the flip side of a celebrity and Shahi Tharoor was no exception. Strangely, within hours of his resignation from cabinet, the same news media that were baying for his blood are now discussing whether his resignation is the right thing that had happened to Indian politics. Writer’s community, Twitter community is flocking in support of both Tharoor- the- politician and Tharoor- the-writer.
It is being argued whether India is ready for a new breed of politics, a new way of communicating with the masses. Will we ever get rid of the stereotypes of older, non-English speaking, backward (read non internet savvy) and semi literate politicians – is the question that is doing the rounds across TV channels and newspaper columns.
For someone, who has been a rookie in politics, Tharoor’s story thus far has been phenomenal. He traveled places in a diverse geographical area of upbringing. A Keralite by descent - he was born in London, brought up in Bombay, went to high school in Calcutta, attended college in Delhi and received a PhD in United States. A successful writer and a UN Diplomat - turned politician, a state minister in charge of the critical Ministry of External Affairs in his first term, Tharoor seemed to be riding on a high wave and has been catching media’s attention since 2009. He seemed different than the pot-belly politicians - handsome, a twitter account holder and the one who would not hesitate to flaunt his now infamous girlfriend Sunanda Pushkar –despite having married twice.
Things started going wrong when Tharoor openly expressed his views or sarcasm on current topics on the internet. This increased his twitter followers but subjected him to increasing scrutiny. Hours were spent on air, and columns were written in newspapers on ‘cattle - class’ remarks, describing the economy class in the aircrafts. His public rhetoric on Nehru’s foreign policy was a major embarrassment for the party that claims to carry forward the Nehru - Gandhi legacy.
Perhaps Tharoor failed to adapt to the Congress culture that rewards people keeping low profile – they call them ‘Loyalists’. Look at all the top brass of congress - A.K Antony, Pranab Mukherjee, and even P.C. Chidambaram. Their behavior is common and simple - Keep quiet and do not bite more than what you can chew. For instance, post 26/11, Congress had an option of choosing a Maharashtra CM between a verbose but powerful Narayan Rane and a quiet and unfamiliar Ashok Chavan, the party chose the latter going against the majority MLAs wishes. The former Sainik, Rane, has reportedly learnt the lesson and is keeping an extremely low profile these days, worrying his competitors.
For Tharoor, the IPL controversy seems to have done irreparable loss to credibility, more than his style of working. Remember that neither his cattle-class remarks nor his rhetoric on Nehru’s foreign policy was responsible for his ouster, although he was becoming pretty un-congressman like and created more enemies than friends within the party.
The Washington Post Book World appreciated Tharoor’s book ‘India: from Midnight to the Millennium’ as - “Exceptionally well-reasoned and thorough… …The books’ greatest strength is that on all the most important political and economical questions facing India today, Tharoor had it right!”
Well, Tharoor has got it wrong this time actually. He could get it right, however, by going back to his constituency and strengthening it. The Left parties, after a disastrous 2009 will probably come back stronger in the next elections, given the Congress’ terrible policies on price rise.
Tharoor should get on to the fact that a successful congressman doesn’t just wear Khadi jacket. Keeping a low profile –both in person and on internet is what he should aim at -concurrently, cultivating the writer in him that so many adore.
Perhaps Tharoor failed to adapt to the Congress culture that rewards people keeping low profile – they call them ‘Loyalists’. Look at all the top brass of congress - A.K Antony, Pranab Mukherjee, and even P.C. Chidambaram. Their behavior is common and simple - Keep quiet and do not bite more than what you can chew. For instance, post 26/11, Congress had an option of choosing a Maharashtra CM between a verbose but powerful Narayan Rane and a quiet and unfamiliar Ashok Chavan, the party chose the latter going against the majority MLAs wishes. The former Sainik, Rane, has reportedly learnt the lesson and is keeping an extremely low profile these days, worrying his competitors.
For Tharoor, the IPL controversy seems to have done irreparable loss to credibility, more than his style of working. Remember that neither his cattle-class remarks nor his rhetoric on Nehru’s foreign policy was responsible for his ouster, although he was becoming pretty un-congressman like and created more enemies than friends within the party.
The Washington Post Book World appreciated Tharoor’s book ‘India: from Midnight to the Millennium’ as - “Exceptionally well-reasoned and thorough… …The books’ greatest strength is that on all the most important political and economical questions facing India today, Tharoor had it right!”
Well, Tharoor has got it wrong this time actually. He could get it right, however, by going back to his constituency and strengthening it. The Left parties, after a disastrous 2009 will probably come back stronger in the next elections, given the Congress’ terrible policies on price rise.
Tharoor should get on to the fact that a successful congressman doesn’t just wear Khadi jacket. Keeping a low profile –both in person and on internet is what he should aim at -concurrently, cultivating the writer in him that so many adore.
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