It’s been more than a decade since Diplomat Shashi Tharoor decided to focus on domestic politics and contest elections. For a while he found his mojo and looked settled to form his political niche. However, those remained only short-term trends and now he seems to be in desperate need of a new home.
India’s abstention at UNSC
Recently the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) witnessed a bizarre resolution. Ireland and America asked the UNSC to provide concessions on the sanction regime. According to the resolution, if an activity is carried out in sanctioned geographies for humanitarian purposes, then it won’t attract sanctions.
India opposed it. India informed the grouping that terrorist groups have taken advantage of this kind of leeway in the past. Though she did not name them, Ruchira Kamboj, current Permanent Representative to the United Nations, signalled towards the reincarnation of Lashkar-e-Taiban as Jamat-ud-Dawa, a humanitarian organisation. Consequently, India abstained from the voting.
Tharoor supports the stand
The abstention drew support from a surprising corner. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor was appreciative of India’s abstention. He even tweeted his agreement about it.
While understanding the humanitarian concerns behind the resolution, I agree fully with India’s reservations that prompted its abstention. We don’t have to look far across the border for evidence to substantiate @ruchirakamboj’s words. Well done, @IndiaUNNewYork @DrSJaishankar https://t.co/muwm3TsOzm
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 10, 2022
The support is quizzing since India’s abstention proved to be futile. It is not a victory in a strict and concise term of the word. Despite that Tharoor found it apt to tag Dr Jaishankar. So, what could be the reason behind it? Development of the past few months indicate that there is more than what meets the eye.
Conundrum between Tharoor and Gandhis
Tharoor is not particularly happy with the way his party Congress has been working. He is part of G-23 rebels, consisting of senior party leaders, pitching for more democracy in party functioning. To some level, Gandhis did get alarmed and went on to leave space for a non-Gandhian to fight for the Congress Presidential post.
Tharoor too wanted to contest for the post. More than a month before the election, Tharoor joined Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra in Kerala. It was only the first week of the journey and Tharoor stole the show as media chased him rather than focussing on the junior Gandhi. Certainly, the Party’s high Command must have been chilled to the core. After that, Tharoor has not been seen in the Yatra anymore.
Meanwhile, a few days after stealing the show, Tharoor aired his intent of contesting for Congress President. After a week or two of political rumbling, Tharoor was fighting with Mallikarjun Kharage. Kharage is believed to be in good books of the Gandhis. Naturally, the Gandhis would not like it. It was visible in the individual campaigns for both leaders. Tharoor even expressed his disappointment about not being able to play on a level playing field.
Side-lined in Congress
Tharoor lost the election and it worsened his status in Congress. He has not been treated with the same respect as a senior leader deserves. He is not even receiving the level of respect he used to get before contesting elections. Tharoor was not even among one of the top 40 star campaigners for Gujarat elections. Ultimately, he refused to accept a junior position. Neither was he seen campaigning for Himachal elections.
Disappointed, Tharoor decided to check his base in Kerala. In November, he embarked on a 4-day Kerala tour. But the Party High Command did not like it. The Youth Congress was reportedly ordered to withdraw their invitation to Shashi for a talk. Congress fears Tharoor taking away a substantial chunk of local leaders with him. Nothing else explains their disciplinary committee’s guidelines for leaders to keep it informed about the functions they attend. Talks of Tharoor conducting “parallel activity” are running amuck in political corridors.
A new political home?
It is clear that the Gandhis are cutting Tharoor to size. If the trend continues, Tharoor will need a fresh launchpad to restart his political career. The former Diplomat is getting frustrated with politics of convenience, corruption and compromise in Congress. The next best option for him is the BJP. Despite being in Congress, Tharoor has nationalistic credentials. In the past, even PM Modi himself has been fond of his speech and drawn him for several campaigns like Swachh Bharat as well.
Honoured to accept the invitation of PM @narendramodi to join Clean India campaign. Just landed in Bucharest &heard d news. Action on return
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 2, 2014
Well-deserved but untimely the applause from Shashi Tharoor may be his first step towards understanding the way BJP functions at the centre. After all, he is a diplomat and if he does step towards BJP, he will proceed with caution.
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