Sashi Tharoor to contest Lok Sabha elections from Kerala on Congress ticket

Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information and well-known writer, Shashi Tharoor is to contest the Lok Sabha elections for Congress from Kerala. It is yet to be seen if the writer contests from Thiruvananthapuram or Palakkad.

Photo: Shashi Tharoor with Manmohan Singh, Indian PM

So is this a fall for the internationally famous Tharoor, who was even in the running for the UN Secretary General’s post – or is this taking on a challenge which is even greater? My opinion is that while winning might not be a big deal for Tharoor, making a name for yourself and doing anything substantial in the dog-eat-dog world of Indian politics would be tougher than the UN Secretary General’s job.

Why would Shashi Tharoor want to make a go of it in the Indian electoral arena? Well, there is the fact that he would want to contribute something to the country. Congress is the natural party for someone like Shashi Tharoor, ideologically. It is a centrist party, with an experience of taking along the numerous interest groups – economical and political – and is the natural governing party of India. BJP’s ideology and rhetoric, and emphasis on looking backwards and correcting historial wrongs would be unpalatable for him.

But how tough would he have it in the Congress? In the end, the Congress is also a party with is unashamedly beholden to the Gandhi dynasty. It is not known to take tough decisions, or unpopular decisions, unless pushed into a corner. India – even Kerala – is reveling in being extra-sensitive about all issues at this point, and does not take kindly to plain talk, which Tharoor is used to in his international assignments. The Congress does not like anyone stepping out of line, and individualism is encouraged only behind closed doors. Tharoor would have a hard time playing the game even if he is elected as an MP, possibly.

So it is a bit of a dilemma – what India needs is young blood and dynamism which the Congress seriously lacks. However, Congress itself is not sure it can handle dynamism – and it is likely the coterie would look at Tharoor as a threat the moment he gains some prominence. Note that the youg Turks in Congress – the Sachin Pilots and Jyothiraditya Sindhyas – have been given no significant role in the party.

Shashi Tharoor made it clear last week that the party he would join has to be national and elaborated on his desire to join the Congress. “I have indeed been having some serious conversations about entering
politics. Now (that) I have left the UN, I have an opportunity to put my feet where my mouth used to be,” he said.

Shashi Tharoor also gave his reasons for joining politics,”Let me say that I am not running for anything now but I am also not running away from anything. If the opportunity is offered, I certainly would consider very seriously because I do feel that in democracy politics is the means of bringing about change for the country and having some impact on the future direction,” he added.

However, it is now sure that Tharur will be contesting, confirms a party leader who is close to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, “Tharoor is our candidate. We will announce his candidature soon.” he said.

According to reports Tharur is seeking ticket from Thiruvananthapuram but some Congress leaders want him to be given ticket from Palakkad.

The writer also emphasised on his decision to choose congress over BJP,”I have nothing economically in common with the ideology of Left and Communist parties. Those who had followed my writing from years know that I have nothing in common with communalism that has been unfortunately encouraged by people associated with the BJP…and that basically means the Congress party,” he said.

It is yet to be seen how the writer prospers as a politician but the Congress is lucky to have a man of his caliber enter the party premises.