This post is a response to the countless supporters and fans of Tharoor inviting me to join the group “Support Tharoor” on Facebook. If you find this post insulting your sentiments, live with it. I have nothing against Tharoor, but strongly condemn what he has done in politics. I will appreciate it, if you can read this article without the “Tharoor is the savior of Indian politics” idea in your mind. By no means I am suggesting Indian politics minus Tharoor is corruption free or efficient. Also, for the record, I am from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor’s constituency.
“Author, peace-keeper, refugee worker, human rights activist and now is the member of the Indian Parliament from the Thiruvananthapuram constituency in Kerala, Shashi Tharoor straddles several worlds of experience.”
But after the IPL controversy, Tharoor had to accept he is new to Indian politics and is not experienced enough. Malayalis world over are desperately supporting Tharoor and strongly criticising Gujju businessmen and a particular North Indian lobby for his resignation. Fact: Gujju businessmen, Lalit Modi included, are out there as businessmen. They might be stashing crores of illegal money. But, Tharoor is an elected representative and has no right to criticise or speculate unless he has solid proof against them. When people criticise Lalit Modi for trying to take the franchisee back to North India, little do they realise that the Kerala IPL team is/was owned by Gujju businessmen and not by Mamotty or Mohanlal. Infact, there are very few Malayali businessmen who are stake holders. Whoever owns it, let the businessmen fight it out by pumping in money. Why should an elected representative interfere? Tharoor claims he is the mentor of the team. Honestly, why would an external affairs minister want to be the mentor of a cricket team? Love for sports seems to be a reasonable answer. But, if that be the case, he should be showing the same interest to promote the National Games to be held in Thiruvananthapuram. Unfortunately, from the news reports I have read recently, the organising committee is struggling hard to find venues to conduct the games, leave alone accomodation of the players, transportation etc. Apparently, the IPL team cost approximately 1300 crores. If he could bring in at least 10% of that money for the National Games, we would still get better grounds and infrastructure for sports which the IPL team promised (assuming that Kochi would be the home ground). I agree IPL has a much bigger audience and promotes the little known God’s Own Country’s branding. Truth be told, cricket is not what attracts people to Kerala. Kerala is pretty famous for its beaches and ayurveda world over, but very little has been done to promote ayurveda. Most of the people who do business in that industry are private companies and the government has very little or no ayurvedic resorts. So why would anyone want to create a new product by spending hundreds of crores and market it when they already have a high demand, low supply product?
Secondly, the business/investment opportunities IPL has is huge and Tharoor wanted to capitalise on it because it is a dream of the youth in Kerala. But any sensible, intelligent human being will be more interested to bring in MNCs to the state to provide jobs for youth which in turn will boost the dilapidated economy of the state. It was not long back that many major companies like BMW, Tecom left the state because they didn’t find the place investor friendly. I am sure Tharoor, being a good diplomat and having served the UN for more than two decades knows this. Though there are certain matters related to state government, as a minister of external affairs, Tharoor could have easily wooed many of these MNCs. Not only would hundreds of thousands of youth get jobs, but the government would be minting money from taxes alone.
Thirdly, it is extremely difficult to believe that Tharoor who lost the post of UN Secretary General by a whisker could only become a junior minister in Manmohan’s cabinet. The same Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh who wanted him to be the Secretary General of UN, found him misfit to be a normal minister, leave alone Prime Minister. 
Come on, they wanted him to be a world leader and when it came to India he cannot even handle things related to a single ministry? And what is more surprising is that Tharoor gladly accepted the post. I doubt if any self respecting individual might do that. It might be his personal choice, but to justify it by telling he wants to serve the country is a cheap and blown up trick.There are infinite ways in which people contribute to the country without being a politician. Again, it can be a personal choice – so let us not go too deep into that.
Finally, it is extremely shocking that none of the Kerala MPs nor the Kerala Congress ministers supported him. Come on, if the IPL team is supposed to bring prosperity to the state which leader would want to isolate himself from that? I still remember how the INC leaders said indirectly hinted that they are responsible for India winning the 20-20 world cup and the good show at Oscars. Even an opposition leader would be glad to attach his name to the people responsible for bringing something that does a lot of good to the state. Now, don’t tell me that every single one of the leaders in our state are retarded and cannot digest this simple fact.
All this is what a normal 20 year old college drop out kid could gather from these issues. There might be a lot more hidden stuff. But what I tend to believe is that Tharoor was merely seeking publicity. He never got publicity when he was in the UN. But he definitely got a lot of publicity with his tweets (cattle class, 5 star accomodation etc.) and even became the most followed Indian on Twitter. He might have even dreamt of sitting in Jawaharlal Nehru stadium alongside Bollywood stars and business tycoons like Mallya to cheer his team. But unfortunately, he forgot that the people sent him there for a bigger purpose. If Tharoor had served some delicious food before the IPL dessert I would have taken it any day. But sadly, he has failed to achieve a lot as a politician. He, like other politicians, failed to deliver what he promised. The average citizens who voted him to power are left open mouthed, wondering when the controversy man will really deliver his promises.
I have not gone into any of his affairs related to Sunanda. I believe it is his personal matter and I don’t get turned on by creating or promoting scandals.
Feel free to voice your opinion and I will gladly accept any comment. Stay hungry, stay foolish! 
I may have nothing for Tharoor but I strongly support what he tried to do for Kerala.
Okay, now what do you expect an ExtAff State Minister to do for the state? Build chayakkadas in his name? Or put his name on Traffic signal boxes?
He did what he could. And got nailed because the NorthIndians didnt want the 10th IPL team to come to Kerala.
And dude do you honestly think Narendra Modi did his part to get the team to Kerala? See I have to give it to you that Modi is a very respected politician throughout India, hands down. But frankly You are the only person from Kerala who I have heard even talking about the BJP let alone supporting Modi. Dont blame me man, I’m a Christian, you dont expect a Christian dude to support the BJP do you? I dont even like politics but if I were given a chance to give negative votes I would defintely unvote your Modi dude . For sure man.
BJP is unfortunately one of the most misunderstood political party. Nowhere has it said it is a party for Hindus, working for Hindus. Had that been the case there should have been mass massacres when they ruled under Vajpayee right? BJP has Muslims and Chrisitians in its official posts, if you bother to take a look. And, I just don’t get it, why would Narendra Modi have an issue with a Kerala team? How is he remotely related to IPL?
Really John! christian dude??!! I still think you are blood related to Jinnah 
I don’t say i completely agree with Pashu (in fact I think he slammed whammed Tharoor a pound too hard), but his holiness the minister’s decision of joining the junior cabinet after the (lost) U.N Sec gen election is lousy as an old man’s fart.
I give him gets more credit than somebody looking for publicity and stardom. Without the paragraph where u are assuming, the article was a nice read.
(..like i read somewhere, assuming is the act of making an ASS of U and ME)
1.”But, Tharoor is an elected representative and has no right to criticise or speculate unless he has solid proof against them”…in a democracy any individual has the right to air an alternate point of view..its called free speech and is the bed rock of democracy…and i certainly dont remeber tharoor making any wild allegations..he did suggest that the ipl was a big boy’s club where the little boys weren’t invited..and that is a view with which many people concur…
2. “Tharoor claims he is the mentor of the team. Honestly, why would an external affairs minister want to be the mentor of a cricket team? Love for sports seems to be a reasonable answer. But, if that be the case, he should be showing the same interest to promote the National Games to be held in Thiruvananthapuram. Unfortunately, from the news reports I have read recently, the organising committee is struggling hard to find venues to conduct the games, leave alone accomodation of the players, transportation etc.”…fair enough..he has professed his love for cricket..and i dont see anything wrong in any minister batting for an ipl team from his home state as long as it is inside the realms of propriety and legality…the national games has been a long neglected in this country and one man is not going to change..i remeber a few years back that the swimming competitions was completely abandoned because the pool was not ready..only as you said if you expect him to be a saviour of indian politics can you expect him to solve any problem…
4.”Apparently, the IPL team cost approximately 1300 crores. If he could bring in at least 10% of that money for the National Games, we would still get better grounds and infrastructure for sports which the IPL team promised (assuming that Kochi would be the home ground”..money will come in only if its an attractive business proposition..and as much as i am saddened by it, the national games is not one…dont think god, let alone tharoor can bring in that kind of private sector funding for the national games..
5.”Truth be told, cricket is not what attracts people to Kerala. Kerala is pretty famous for its beaches and ayurveda world over, but very little has been done to promote ayurveda. Most of the people who do business in that industry are private companies and the government has very little or no ayurvedic resorts. So why would anyone want to create a new product by spending hundreds of crores and market it when they already have a high demand, low supply product?”…This is such a ridiculous argument that i am not going to bother to respond..
6. “, Tharoor could have easily wooed many of these MNCs. Not only would hundreds of thousands of youth get jobs, but the government would be minting money from taxes alone.”…give him a break …he has been in office only for a year..judge him after 5…and even if tharoor were to woo these investors..unless they find a conducive environment for business( which is a responsibilty for the state govt)..they are not going to set up shop in kerala…..and you are probaly overstating his influence when u say he can EASILY woo mnc’s..
7. :Thirdly, it is extremely difficult to believe that Tharoor who lost the post of UN Secretary General by a whisker could only become a junior minister in Manmohan’s cabinet.”…again your whole line of reasoning strikes me as very silly..tell me any other first time mp who went on to become a minister?..and it is incontrevertible that politics is the field which affects the life of most number of people in the country..so entering politics if you want to render public service is a very reasonlable…
8.”Finally, it is extremely shocking that none of the Kerala MPs nor the Kerala Congress ministers supported him. Come on, if the IPL team is supposed to bring prosperity to the state which leader would want to isolate himself from that”..Its been clear from day one..that local congress leaders werent too enamoured with an outsider being parachuted into the most coveted constituency in the state..and its been obvious from day one that he does not have too many supporters in the state congress, as you said we laughed at politicians when they took credit for the 20-20 win.. Is every single one of the leaders in our state so retarded not to think that it is a ploy unlikely to work..?
9. To conclude, i think you have jumped the gun too early, and you simply sound like someone who is over eager to beat tharoor with any stick he can find..the jibe about not fulfilling his promises after just one year in office comes from someone who’s objectivity and rationale is seemingly clouded , perhaps by other political affiliations. And i for one dont mind people enjoying their success, if tharoor had played an honest , positive and important role in bringing the ipl to kerala.. i wouldnt mind him savouring a seat in the hospitality boxes with celibrities1
10. I support tharoor for the simple reason , because for the first time we have an educated capable individual who has proved himself at the highest levels entering politics, his symbol would send out a message to young educated indians across the country, that politics has a place for them to alongside the corrupt, the sleazy and the crooked.And this is why i root for his success. I also belive( perhaps incorrectly) that here is someone who wishes to do the right thing for the people, and i for one am willing to give him a second chance, because the prizez to be won if he succeeds are far greater than those to be lost if he fails..and everyone deserves a second chance…
10*his success would send out a message
Really liked your post especially because of the fact that the it was not a bit sarcastic. I already had my take on this topic several times on FB, so i’m not going into the details once again.
Handling issues of UN and handling issues of a ministry in ‘the biggest democracy in the world’ are different. Tharoor is good, but he lacks the political experience to handle such a big responsiblity. This may be the reason why he was not given the complete charge of the ministry. I strongly believe that this guy has dreams to get into a position as high as ‘The President of The Republic of India’ in the next 15-20 years time. If he want to work on this goal, atleast he needs to be in the ministey and create a impression among the people that he is revolutionizing the face of Indian politics. This is not about social service, this is a ‘highly ambitious plan of an exceptionally good manipulator’ in making.
I repeat ‘Tharoor is good’ and he deserves to be in the cabinet…. The problem is with his bourgeois views on develoment. His plan of making out Trivandrum a Global city like London in 5 years was laughed at by the apparatchiks of Kerala. Only leaders with grass-root level political experience can touch the heart and soul of the real problems of India.
The question to Mr. Tharoor and the politicians who are not ready to let go this issue is “Why waste time and effort on IPL when we have severe BPL issues to be adressed?”.
Govind, I agree this is a highly opinionated post. But your counter arguments don’t hold water. Indian politics has always been a pot of surprises, most often bitter, than sweet. To tell he became a minister when he was a first time MP is no good. What matters is the work, not the post. Keeping in mind that none of the IPL teams have even reached break even, forget profits; and still Tharoor could bring in money for an IPL team to a state which has not produced any famous cricketer. It proves his influence. I have never said Tharoor is bad, only that he has failed in politics. No harm in giving him a second chance, but I would do that hoping he would tackle with the real issues of his state and constituency. Like I said in the first few lines, I am not suggesting India is corruption free. Lastly, I am not suggesting Tharoor should resign as MP, but it seems very less a possibility that he will be able to do something for his own constituency as an MP which he couldn’t do as a minister. Like you said, let us judge him after his 5 year term. Considering that he has already pissed off the North Indian lobby (within the UPA), I don’t think he will do a lot. Let’s wait though.
In my opinion, a leader is one who needs to have will power more than education. Education is good, but without will power it is no good.
Vishnu, I agree with you. Absolutely no point in wasting time on IPL when we have BPL issues to handle. I am not comparing UN to India though. Both are on entirely different levels. But a 20 year long career is not good enough? Tough to digest.
I am sorry pahsu..but you seem to blatantly ignorant about the way politics works..landing a cabinet birth is not an easy task..you have to grit your teeth in the party for years before your bestowed with that resonsibility..and the fact that tharoor was assigned that responsibilty despiet being a virtual unknown in indian politics, only points to how highly the congress regarded his international experience and expertise ininternational affairs..and tharoor made clear that he tried to sell the idea of a kochi ipl team to many consortiums, ofcourse your conter argument is that he should have spent that tme and energy to bring in an mnc which provides employment to the youth, but setting up an ipl team is one thing and setting up a factory or such facilities is a completely different thing, because several other factors like infrastructure, work culture ans so on come intoplay in the latter case, which are inconsequential as far s the ipl team is concerned, so without the govt doing its homework and creative a business friendly environment, no politician can single handedly attract investments. And whether kerala has produced cricketers is irrelevant, its possible that the consortium saw the huge malayali diaspora, particularly in the middle east and saw it as a good business opportunity, this is what which influenced their decision, you think any businessman would buy a politician’s sales pitch without being absoultely sure that there are profits to be made?..and its funny you pass judgement on him and then say we should wait for 5 years to do so in the very same breath…and a politcian’s success is defined by his ability to do things done, will power is a pre requisite to enter politics…and about my arguments not holding water, feel free to let me know why…
I dont know who you are Mr. Prashanth. I just saw your post through a notification from my friend Vishnu. I appreciate your enthusiasm. But I dont agree to your views and speculations.
Some Questions for you:
1) If Mr. Shashi Tharoor didnt convinced this businessmen and so called consortiums that a Kerala IPL team is possible, who else would do the job? when will Kerala see their home team in IPL?
2) You said about bringing MNC’s to Kerala, Who Sent Back Volkswagen? Who is delaying the Smartcity Project? Is it Tharoor? Is it INC?
3) When you’ve got a bunch of Quality leaders like Dr. Manmohan Singh, Pranab Mukherjee, A K Antony etc.? Which post would You give for Tharoor? I think External Affairs is more than suitable?
Before you criticise, just make sure you’re not really an Anti-Tharoor. Because that is the proper way of criticism.
and about a comment i saw about BJP.
Dear friend christians have no mis-understanding about BJP. There is not a single christian or a Muslim who doesnt know about the Hidden Hindutva Agenda. If christians were friends with this BJP i dont think there would have been attacks on them in the recent past in Karnataka and Orissa. YOu might say that its VHP who did such assaults. But isnt VHP like a sister or brother concern of BJP? I am not trying to bring about any Religionalist thoughts, but these are some facts.
Please answer if you could!
@ vishnu
A good politician needn’t make a good minister or vice versa,our prime minister had little political experience when he took over the reins of the finance ministry in the early 90′s, and he did a darn good job…and seriously, did tharoor mention about turining our city into london in 5 years?? cant recall, all i remember him saying is tvm would be twinned with a world class city, to leverage their experience and expertise in civic administration, and he has come close to fulfilling that promise…and sur we have had lots of grass roots politicians in kerala …but cant remeber anyone touching the heart and soul of the problems the people face, or doing anything about it..
Tinu, you seem to overly concerned about the future of Kerala IPL team. Seriously, do you think that is the need of the hour for the state? Or root out the various social evils? And try to counter attack the growing terrorism in Kerala? Aren’t there bigger things to look at? You are free to voice your opinion regarding that.
2) I absolutely agree communists and their few policies totally suck. But hasn’t the same INC ruled the state before? Multiple times?
3) If we had quality leaders in INC, who thought above petty reservations and stuff, India would have been a super power now. Look at the percentage of people who are below BPL now. Compare that to the time of independence. When India got freedom there were more than 400 princely states that joined together. The wealth of so many states was not enough and still we kept taking loans from the international bank etc. Has the INC bothered to order an enquiry into the crores of money stashed in European banks? Do you call them leaders?
4) About BJP, friend, tell me one political party that does not depend on religion to get votes. INC woos Muslims through their Indian Muslim League, the Christians through their Mani and Jacob groups in central Kerala and Left did the same with Madani. Labelling just BJP as the root cause of all communalism in India is mere foolishness. Secularism means equal right to all religious groups. If that be the case will you be happy to let some minister run a church or mosque? Then why should only temples be under the government? Why not implement uniform civil code all over the country including Kashmir? Creating mini Pakistans inside India is a very bad idea.
Look at all the riots in India. All right winged organisations, Bajrang Dal, VHP, RSS etc. have protested against conversion. Kandhamal riots happened because Swami Lakshmananda a 100% non violent sadhu was brutally murdered by a particular minority group. Godhra riots happened because of the burning of a train which had Hindu pilgrims. Read them on Wikipedia, or any unbiased media. Not what CNN IBN or NDTV says.
nice article man.. and de ones thereof..
Nice to see some support. If you weren’t sarcastic, that is.
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For swayable old me, ur article hit gold…well almost, untill i read Govind’s retort. Now my blissful ignorance can be somwhat substituted by my fair skills of rationalisation. and to me, it is pretty clear that mr. govind comes thru as good sense, hands down.
Some of your claims seem based on your own unintelligible schemes than actual facts.
All the same, no hard feelings.
No hard feelings taken. My point about Shashi Tharoor using his reputation for petty political gains still stand unmoved. Wondering if I should another post, he has given numerous examples where he is proving he is no better than other corrupt people. Maybe, after the 5 year term. Let’s wait.