Ever since Mr. Shashi Tharoor cut his teeth in politics he seems to be courting one controvery after another.Now the latest involving him is his alleged affair with a lady and he is bitten by love bug at 54! Controversy and Sashi Tharoor seem to be chasing each other much to the embarassment of the Manmohan Singh Government.What do you think?
In my opinion, he is a genuine politician, but he is not fully committed to the ideology of the party.His books clearly tells us that deep inside he doesn't agree with the leadership of the party.
I think his twitter controversies are baseless up to a limit and it is fueled by the people from his own party itself.The rise of Tharoor is definitely a threat to some people inside.
Regarding the recent controversy, it is purely a personal matter.Along with it, now he has to face the IPL controversy also.Lalith modi has attacked him in twitter.
But whatever be the controversy, i think as a minister, he has genuine interest in the development of India.He may have become too hot for PM and the party, but they can't afford to loose him.
When Mr. Tharoor decided to join politics I was one of them who was very happy that we're going to have a person with a distinguished and solid backround to make a real difference to the murky world of Indian politic but waching him in action I have no hesitation to express my disappointment.I agree he too has a private life and he is entitled to it but the question how much of a public person's life should come under public scrutiny.There is a very thin dividing line between a public person's public and private life.Gandhiji's had the moral conviction to call his life an 'open book'.I won't have alluded Mr.Tharoor's affair with the lady in question ,had he not been instumental in giving her free equity of the new IPL franchichee,Kochy.In fact he lied to the media that he was not at all involved in awarding this franchisee to Rendezvous and he just acted as a mentor.Now all we know what Lallit Modi has tweeted and there might be a legal battle between the two.Now coming to his performance as a minister he has ridiculed the government of India's visa policy which is the height of irresponsibility. Had he really come up to my expectation I'd have been the happiest person! The Congress party straightaway gave him a ticket to fight the elections and made him a minister but he seems to be only interested in embarassing the party leadership.
Every body has their own life style and working style.In my view, he is a genuine and a controversial politician, he is a different ideologist. Own ideas fully can implement in own party.But he is functioning, its not his own party.High command directions has to follow. in this connection he is differing with others.Also latest IPL issue is a problematic. it is purely a personal but as a minister code of discipline has to follow.
@chinmoy
You comparison of Mr.Tharoor with Gandhiji is too much I think.In the present world of politics where we have more than 50% crorepatis in Rajya Sabha, I don’t think this IPL controversy is a big deal.Maybe he has not risen to your expectation, but in this time of filthy politics he is a good minister for me.Who is perfect here?.Every politician is corrupt to an extend.In this episode of IPL we could see that Tharoor has no direct benefit from it.Maybe he foresaw something,but that’s another matter.
You called him a lair.But I would call him diplomat, which of course he is.Ok. he was instrumental in giving her free equity of the new IPL franchisee, but that is not supposed to be said in the public.So he talked it diplomatically to the media that he is a mentor,which is a right thing to do.Here modi has cheated him and broken the rules. I know a minister should not use his power for personal benefit.,but taking comparatively I don’t see any horrible thing.
Your said he was irresponsible in the comment on visa policy.I would agree to an extend.Though he made a point there, twitter was not the right place.But what about other controversies.The cattle class and holy caw.Isn’t it our narrow mindedness.We make unnecessary interpretation.Or maybe a planned one from someone inside.i think there are people inside the party who feels uncomfortable.And the last one, on the word, interlocutor.What about that.Do you see any point in making a controversy out of it?
I have the opinion that, as such he is not making any embarrassment to the government.He is making his stand clear and he is confident in his words.The media and some uncomfortable people misinterpret his words which leads to the embarrassment of government.
You have argued your case in a very persuasive and impressive manner but I am still not very convinced.He was an aspirant for the post of UN Secretary General and supposed to be aware of the nitty gritty of an administration.If he was that diplomatic he won't have chosen twitter to express his views on the govermental decision.Just imagine if every minister of the Central Goverment does so it would let loose all the hell! If it is not an embarrassment then what embarrassment is! Well,let us agree to disagree and I personally hope he does well enough to meet our expectations.Thanks a lot for your reply.
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I think we should continue our argument to some more extend.Also hope other members will join us on this topic.
It is true that he was an aspirant for the UN general post.But UN and Indian politics are entirely different.In that administration, the people you address are diplomats and representatives, but here in politics you are facing common people.So he cant learn anything much about sensitive Indian politics from UN and it is obvious in the mistakes and controversies.He is a new boy here and he is learning.
I already agreed with you in that twitter is not the place to discuss sensitive issues.But I strongly support his revolutionary idea of making transparency through twitter.Now whats wrong with every central minster going for twitter?.It is a fact that more and more politicians are using twitter.Be it in America or any other developed countries, twitter is very popular among politicians and diplomas.In white house some are even considering it as a substitute of media statement.
I think your concern is about politician making unnecessary comment on government decisions and other important matters.Of course it is bad, but there must be a self regulation.The episodes of twitter controversy will be a lesson to them.Apart from that I don’t see any harm in using twitter.In Tharror case also, the visa controversy was the only valid issue.All other where unnecessary in my opinion.
So I once again hold that Tharoor didn’t cause embarrassment.The media and some crooked, narrow minded people made controversy which caused embarrassment to the government.
Democracy is essentially party system. No individual politician is supposed to show his individuality and air his personal views against party ideology and policies. Especially, ministers must adhere to collective responsibility.
Apparently, Shashi Tharoor has treated parliament, ruling party and cabinet as mere discussion forums and India as nothing but Hyde park, where all are free to say anything and do anything.
Definitely, he is not suitable as a minister.
The entire controversy arise from the tweets.Now how is this revolutionary idea of using twitter against party system?In fact it strengthen democracy by bringing transparency.Also It helps a minister to reach out to the people which they normally can’t do.I agree that he has done a mistake by commenting on visa policy, but that is the only time he talked about a sensitive issue.The remaining are just baseless controversies.After becoming a minister he never said anything against the party also.
So I believe he is a good minister and that he is bringing a new political culture to the country not by making it a Hyde park but bringing transparency and better relation with the people.This is good for democracy in my opinion.
MC- a minister or an MP belonging to a party cannot exercise the sort of independence as others can. When you are in a government post, as a politician or a public servant, you come under conduct rules. As an individual, you represent yourself only and may participate in any debate on internet forums. But not a minister. Even an ordinary government employee is precluded from giving personal opinion.
We have seen that there is no cohesion in government. Ministers are speaking in different voices. The government created bodies like SBI and IRDA are confronting each other. There has to be some cohesion, unity of though and action.
There is no problem with ministers opening giving views at party forums or cabinet meetings. But when decisions are taken by majority, there is no room for airing personal views at divergence with collective decision. Otherwise, there is nothing wrong to say that the government, parliament and ruling party are just debating clubs and Hyde park.
Today Mr. Tharoor has come out with all guns blazing against Mr.Lalit Modi's treacherous conduct of divulging the ownership details of the new IPL frnachisee,Kochy.But he is mysteriously silent on the issue of allotment of free shares to Ms.Sunanda Pushkar.I am not holding any brief for Lalit Modi who is a cunning customer but how did a respectable and relatively clean person like Mr. Shashi readily walk into the trap laid by his detractors? And he keeps on committing one blunder after another.He should have been more transparent in his dealing by disclosing the ownership details at the time of the bidding
Chinmoy- You have aptly pointed out that shashi tharoor is mysteriously silent on issue of allotment of free shares to Ms. Sunanda Puskar. naturally, Tharoor is neiter 'respectable' nor 'clean' the word 'relatively' only shows that he is cunning enough.
I understand your point Gulshan and I agree than public servants must not make a different opinion in public against the collective decision.But I am not against ministers using twitter for expressing their ideas and giving updates.But it has to be strictly regulated and they must be careful enough to avoid any official matters.Then it will serve its true purpose as i told.
@Chinmoy
A bigger mystery has arrived!.Shashi Tharoor is threatened by Dawood Ibrahim!.He wants Tharoor to step back from the deal or otherwise his life will be in danger!
MC- I have seen that in articles written by Govt. officials even on literary matters, it is specifically given as a remark-"The views of the author are his own and not of Government."
If the remarks given by a minister carry similar word- "The views are that of minister and not of government."
The remarks with such qualifications will be indeed funny. It is better that ministers and key govt. officials refrain from discussing on internet.
I don't think it would be a wise thing to allow ministers to use Twitter or any other social media on governmental matters. As far as the latest on Sashi Tharoor controversy is concerned I agree it's getting curiouser and curiouser! It seems Mr. Tharoor has walked into a minefield!!
The recent comments Mr. Tharoor is unwanted and will get him a negative image. He is a hardworking man and one of the most educated ministers in the Indian Parliament. There are rivals in his camp itself. What he writes on twitter is his personal views and I feel It should not be discussed in the print media. Tweeting should be the best way to counter his point. Not printing some verses from it on the national dailies and start debating on it. The Modi issue has something with south and north. The Hindi belt politicians don;t like some one from the south side overtakes them. Thats it. The love or what ever with ms. Sunanda is his personal matter and should not be discussed in the public.
This minister has no political experience at all.He himself declared as candidate and Congress have to support him and now they are experiencing the bitterness.
