It’s confirmed, Dr. Shashi Tharoor is contesting for the Lok Sabha elections from Thiruvananthapuram. Hoardings proclaiming and endorsing his candidature have come up at every nook and corner of the city. Dr Tharoor has even got himself a custom web portal for his campaign promotion. His repute as an international statesman, celebrated journalist, and his tenure in the UN have given Mr. Tharoor a plethora of accolades. An acclaimed author who has fully realized the power and potential of India as a country, his prescient works like ‘India: From Midnight to Millenium’ clearly depict his immense knowledge about the length and breadth of India. Clearly, Dr. Tharoor is someone who can take the nation to the next level with his expertise and skill. He, indeed, is among the most eligible would-be MPs and Thiruvananthapuram must be proud to have someone as potent as a candidate for the Lok Sabha.
I’m no one to predict a landslide victory for Tharoor. There’s a rather fat chance that he might suffer an acrimonious defeat, considering the uncertain political terrain in the state which even toppled the state’s best actor Prem Nazir when he contested elections – despite all his charm and personal goodwill.
I’m eligible to vote in this general election. My name is in the voter’s list and I’ve my Voters ID card. And I’m proud to say that I’d exercise my primal electoral franchise to vote for Dr. Shashi Tharoor! Not because I’m a supporter of Congress – I’m politically neutral. In fact, I support SFI at college, but again, I’m no communist. True, I’m a fan of Dr. Tharoor (I’ve read almost all works of his and I’ve had the opportunity to interact with him once – I treasure his autograph.) But that’s not the reason why I would vote for him. I’ve my set of reasons.
Why my vote goes to Dr. Shashi Tharoor
- I’ve already mentioned this – but Dr. Tharoor is well-educated and experienced by all conventional benchmarks. An alumnus of St. Stephen’s college, Delhi, he stood first and obtained his BA (History) degree with a record score in History (honours). He served as the chairman of the college union during his days there. During his tenure at the debating society, he won every single debating prize ever possible! Dr. Tharoor went on to obtain a Ph.D at the Fletcher School of Law and diplomacy at the age of 22! A Fletcher record that has not been broken till date. Enough education to be the President of a country!
- Let wiki do the talking about Tharoor’s career at the U.N.
- All said, Tharoor has proved himself as a globally renowned statesman, but will he take care of good ol’ Thiruvananthapuram, as he has proclaimed in his campaign website? The answer is simple. If he could govern global issues, far in magnitude and scale with ease, why can’t he do the same with Kerala? I’ve heard Tharoor speak and I’ve read all his books. He speaks insightfully and raises issues as yet ignored by most. He realizes the enormity of Kerala’s problems and has his set of vision statements that could and would change the way we live, sort-of.
- Alright, you’re not voting for Tharoor. But who else are you going to vote for? A ‘communal’ P.K. Krishnadas? Or another run-of-the-mill politician P. Ramachandran Nair? Or rather, you would like to cast your vote in the favour of our ‘cultured’ BSP Candidate Mr Neelalohitadasan Nadar (Nalini Netto case fame). If you’re an educated voter, you know whom you’re goanna cast your votes for!
Tharoor’s was an exceptional UN career, rising as he did from the P-2 level to the highest possible rank of Under-Secretary-General in a mere 23 years. He was privileged to play a key role in some of the major events of his time, from the Vietnamese boat people crisis to the Yugoslav Civil Wars, to serve in both the humanitarian and peace-keeping arenas as well as in the Secretary-General’s office[2]. He established a reputation at the Department of Public Information as a reformer[3] and as the UN’s most articulate voice for the principles of the United Nations Charter and the work of multilateralism in an increasingly unipolar world.[4]. He took a number of initiatives, ranging from organizing and conducting[5] the first-ever UN seminar on anti-Semitism and against Islamophobia[6] to launching an annual list [7]of “Ten Under-Reported Stories the World Ought to Know About” [8]
I guess that again speaks volumes about Dr. Tharoor. A man who campaigned against ‘Islamophobia’, and someone who is very well aware of the global terrain, is indeed well equipped to ensure the progress of our God’s own country.
Criticisms against Shashi Tharoor and why they’re not goanna affect my mandate
- Lack of Malayalam Knowledge: Tharoor speaks beautiful Malayalam. In fact I’ve spoken to him in public! His Malayalam is perfect and he pronounces words fluently. Alright, he himself admits that he finds it hard to write/read the language, but again, as a Member of Parliament, his job is to communicate with the center and with his flawless English and immaculate Hindi, he’s the right person for the job!
- Tharoor’s personal life: It’s a fact that Tharoor has divorced once and is now married to a Canadian national. But how would that affect his skills and capablity to represent a state’s issues? I don’t get that point!
- The Coca Cola Debate: ‘Open letters’ like this condemning Tharoor’s Coca Cola connection have propped up. Tharoor boldly replied to the letter here. Tharoor does not stand for the Coca Cola company, as he himself says. He is only an Advisory Board Member of ‘Yatn’ – A foundation by Coca Cola India for the greater good. Agreed, many of the claims raised in the open letter are true and that Tharoor speaks in favour of the company in his reply. But that doesn’t mean Tharoor is a bad statesman! He was just citing his point of view in his reply. All we hear about the Plachimada issue was brought to us by the media which sensationalizes issues. We don’t know what’s true. Tharoor’s take was based on his analyses of the entire issue. It may be right or wrong – its validity is not much of an issue here.
- Hidden corporate interests? This claim is raised unequivocally by all communists. Sigh! When are you people goanna learn? Will someone who has not a blemish on his name when he was managing global issues falter when it comes to a small state like Kerala? I don’t think so!
- The National Anthem ‘Scandal’: A mountain made out of a molehill, truly! We have politicians like Lalu Yadav who’ve gone wild, disrespecting the anthem. All Tharoor did was to hold his arms onto his chest in respect. That calls for another moot point – we need to upgrade our laws, period.
So, if you live in Thiruvananthapuram, and if you are eligible to vote in this general elections, choose wisely. Don’t vote for Shashi Tharoor because he’s a congressman. Vote for him, because he is what he is.
UPDATE: A very noted Malayalam blogger and a friend of mine – ഞാന് , has vehemently opposed what I’ve written and has actually replied and vehemently criticised this post. You might like to read that post too.
ഞാന് is someone I respect and honour a lot. I respect his political stance and choose not to counter-question his points, lest it morph into a fully-blown fight. But I’ve a question to ask him – a question that I’d posed earlier in this blog post. Assuming all what ഞാന് says are true, who else should I vote for? Another politician who would rob the district to abject poverty?! Analyze in whichever angle possible, find as many criticisms as you can; my views remain unchanged – My vote goes for Dr. Shashi Tharoor!
Well said… especially the last part. Totally nailed !!!
Thank you Kenney! And, honoured by your comment here, truly! 😀
I’m also politically neutral, but I’d support Tharoor anyday, for the man he is.
Great write-up about Tharoor, Hari.
who will vote for him… I guess kerala people will vote only for the idiots..the RED cells are so strong to brain wash the young population by giving peanut to them. so in my point of view mallus are still illiterate for selecting this good guy. let us wait and see… they need only Jayarajan,pinarayi rules!!!
an old fashioned comarade!
lal salam
“Don’t vote for Shashi Tharoor because he’s a congressman. Vote for him, because he is what he is.”
Well said.
Well written post.. with ample substance and stuff to back it. I always dream of writing articles like these, based on fact, but can’t bring myself to 🙂
well said,
the well acclaimed global personality, said by world economic forum, has put forward a beautiful manifesto on what he intends to do…
some of them were very novel and notable like twinning the city..with a europian city……..
again an experienced bureaucrat , he knows what comes out of each action of the govt. and so , again i think he has a worth much more than the others for sure………
Vote for Shashi Tharoor! http://bit.ly/GzVap
excellent thoughts dude, We all should be proud that a person of his immaculate image and credentials repersents our state, atlast one candidate who is worth it. I consider him to be the best in Indian Politics only next to our prime minister, he can do out country a lot of good.
I loved the last 2 lines. Kept on reading them again and again.
“Don’t vote for Shashi Tharoor because he’s a congressman. Vote for him, because he is what he is.”
Even though he’s standing for a party that am not very fond of, but then i’ll vote for him because of the person he is and the qualifications he possess. I’m struggling to get into a PG degree @ 22 and he could do a PG @ 22, that too with double PG’s. Hats off to his acads.
I think if he becomes MP he’s THE most qualified person to become the Foreign Minister if the Congress gets to form the ruling.
Good post Hari.
But simply put i’ll vote for him, coz he’s someone like me; someone who is a quizzer 🙂
well said kanna.am also going to vote for him.It is just because what he is.But there is another issue,even if he get select from here,am not sure,as an MP of trivandrum what all things he would be able to do.It is all because of the cheap PoliTRICKS.But still there is a small ray of hope.Lets all vote for him.
Each political party have limited votes. A small variation will happen by so many reasons. But there are some non political votes which will go to a suitable candidate who is qualified to become a Cabinet Minister. We have to think about the previous elections jumping from Right to Left. Actually Independent votes have a remarkable roll to win a candidate.
My full support to Dr. Shashi Tharoor.
RT @harishanker: Vote for Shashi Tharoor! http://bit.ly/GzVap
Assuming all what ഞാന് says are true, who else should I vote for? Another politician who would rob the district to abject poverty?! Analyze in whichever angle possible, find as many criticisms as you can; my views remain unchanged – My vote goes for Dr. Shashi Tharoor!
എനിക്ക് മനസ്സിലാകാത്തതൊന്നേയുള്ളൂ. രാഷ്ട്രീയക്കാരന് എന്ന പദം, എന്ന് മുതലാണ് കൊള്ളക്കാരന്റെ പര്യായം ആയതു്? സി.പി.ഐ-യുടെ സ്ഥാനാര്ത്ഥി ശ്രീ. രാമചന്ദ്രന് നായരുടെയും, ബി.ജെ.പി സ്ഥാനാര്ത്ഥി ശ്രീ. കൃഷ്ണദാസിന്റെയും, ബി.എസ്.പി സ്ഥാനാര്ത്ഥി ശ്രീ. നീലലോഹിതദാസന് നാടാരുടെയും ജീവിത ചരിത്രവും, രാഷ്ട്രീയ ചരിത്രവുമൊക്കെ മുഴുവന് പഠിച്ചിട്ടാണോ അവരെ കൊള്ളക്കാര് എന്ന് വിളിച്ചാക്ഷേപിക്കുന്നത്? ശശി തരൂര് എന്ന ബ്യൂറോക്രാറ്റും അഴിമതിക്കറയില് നിന്ന് മുക്തനല്ലായെന്ന് പകല് പോലെ വ്യക്തമാണ്. എന്നിട്ടും എന്തടിസ്ഥാനത്തിലാണ് ശശി തരൂരിന് മാത്രം ക്ലീന് സെര്ട്ടിഫിക്കറ്റ് കൊടുക്കുന്നത് എന്ന് എനിക്ക് മനസ്സിലാകുന്നില്ല. ജനാധിപത്യത്തിന് തീരാക്കളങ്കമായ അപക്വമതികളായ അരാഷ്ട്രീയവാദികളും (ഭാരതം നേരിടുന്ന വെല്ലുവിളി വിധ്വംസകവാദികളോ, പാക്കിസ്ഥാനോ, ചൈനയോ, നക്സലൈറ്റുകളോ അല്ല “അരാഷ്ട്രീയവാദമാണ്”. അതു് കൊണ്ട് തന്നെ രാജ്യസ്നേഹമുള്ളവര് ഈ അരാഷ്ട്രീയവാദികളെ പല്ലും നഖവും ഉപയോഗിച്ചു തന്നെ നേരിടണം), “politically neutral” എന്ന നപുംസക നിലപാടു് കൈക്കൊണ്ട special-അരാഷ്ട്രീയവാദികളും, പിന്നെ കോണ്ഗ്രസ്സുകാരും (അവരിലും ഭൂരിഭാഗവും മാനത്ത് നിന്ന് പൊട്ടി വീണ തരൂരിന് വോട്ട് ചെയ്യുമെന്ന് കരുതുന്നില്ല) മാത്രമേ തരൂരെന്ന ബ്യൂറോക്രാറ്റിനെ പിന്തുണയ്ക്കുന്നുള്ളൂ എന്നത് പ്രതീക്ഷിച്ചിരുന്നത് തന്നെയാണ്.
താങ്കള് ആര്ക്ക് വോട്ട് ചെയ്യണമെന്നത് തീരുമാനിക്കുന്നത് ഞാനല്ല. ഹരി ശങ്കര് എന്ന വ്യക്തിയോട് എനിക്ക് വിരോധവുമില്ല (അതേ പോലെ ശശി തരൂര് എന്ന വ്യക്തിയോടും). എന്നാല് ഹരി ശങ്കര് എന്ന ബ്ലോഗ്ഗര് എടുത്തിരിക്കുന്ന നിലപാടുകളോട് എനിക്ക് അതിശക്തമായ എതിര്പ്പുണ്ട് താനും. ഞാന് എന്റെ ബ്ലോഗ്ഗില് എഴുതിയത് “എന്റെ അഭിപ്രായങ്ങളല്ല”, മറിച്ച് “വസ്തുതകളാണ്” (with authentic references). നിങ്ങളുള്പ്പടെയുള്ള തരൂര് ഫാന്സ് കാണുവാനിഷ്ടപ്പെടാത്ത, മനഃപ്പൂര്വ്വം അന്ധത ഭാവിക്കുന്ന നഗ്നമായ യാഥാര്ത്ഥ്യങ്ങള് (അത് കിട്ടിയ soucre ഉള്പ്പടെ ഞാനവിടെ കൊടുത്തിട്ടുണ്ട്). അതിലേതെങ്കിലുമൊന്ന് തെറ്റാണെന്ന് തരൂര് പോലും അവകാശപ്പെടില്ല. പ്രതീഷ് പ്രകാശ് എന്ന വ്യക്തിക്ക് എപ്പോഴെങ്കിലും അല്ലെങ്കില് ഭൂരിഭാഗം സമയത്തും ഇടതനുകൂല നിലപാടുകളുണ്ടായിട്ടുണ്ടെങ്കില്, അത് അദ്ദേഹം പറയുന്ന reference quote ചെയ്തുള്ള വസ്തുതകളെ by default അസാധുവാക്കുന്നില്ല.
എന്റെ പോസ്റ്റില് ഞാന് പറഞ്ഞിട്ടുണ്ട്. ഞാനെഴുതിയ കാര്യങ്ങള് തെറ്റെന്ന് വസ്തുനിഷ്ഠമായി തെളിയിച്ചാല് ഞാന് അത് തിരുത്തുവാന് തയ്യാറാണെന്ന്. ആ challenge ഇപ്പോഴും എപ്പോഴും open ആണ്.
സൂര്യന് ഉദിക്കുന്നത് വൈകിട്ടാണ്, അത് പടിഞ്ഞാറാണ്, അതു കൊണ്ട് ഞാന് വൈകിട്ട് ആറ് മണിക്കേ എഴുന്നേല്ക്കൂ എന്നൊക്കെ അഭിപ്രായപ്പെടാം, അവകാശപ്പെടാം, നിങ്ങള്ക്ക് വൈകിട്ട് ആറ് മണി വരെ കിടന്നുറങ്ങാം, ഉറക്കം നടിക്കാം. അതൊക്കെ ഒരു ജനാധിപത്യ രാജ്യത്തെ നിങ്ങളുടെ അവകാശമാണ്. എന്നാല്, നിങ്ങളുടെ അഭിപ്രായത്തെ, തെളിവുകളോടെ വസ്തുതകള് നിരത്തി, എതിര്ത്ത് തെളിയിക്കുമ്പോള്, “എന്തൊക്കെ പറഞ്ഞാലും ഞാന് വൈകിട്ട് ആറ് മണിക്കേ എഴുന്നേല്ക്കൂ” എന്നൊക്കെ വാശി പിടിക്കുകയാണെങ്കില്, 1989-ല് വോട്ടിങ്ങ് പ്രായം 21-ല് നിന്ന് 18 ആക്കിയത് തിരികെ 25 എങ്കിലുമാക്കേണ്ട സമയം അതിക്രമിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു എന്നേ എനിക്ക് പറയുവാനുള്ളൂ. വാശി പിടിക്കുന്നതും ജനാധിപത്യപരമായ അവകാശമായതിനാല് വാശി പിടിച്ചോളൂ. വേണ്ടായെന്ന് പറയുന്നില്ല. എന്നാലതിന്, സ്വയം ബോധിപ്പിക്കാനെങ്കിലും ഒരു നല്ല ന്യായം കണ്ടു പിടിച്ചുകൂടേ?
എന്റെ വ്യക്തിപരമായ കാഴ്ചപ്പാടില്, തിരുവനന്തപുരത്ത് ശ്രീ. ശശി തരൂര് ജയിക്കുവാന് സാദ്ധ്യത കൂടുതലാണ്. (കാരണം ഞാന് കണ്ടിട്ടുള്ള തിരുവനന്തപുരത്തുകാരെല്ലാം, ഹരിയെ പോലെയാണ്). എന്നാല് തിരുവനന്തപുരത്തുകാരനായ എന്റെ ഒരു സുഹൃത്തിന്റെ അഭിപ്രായം മറിച്ചാണ്, രാഷ്ട്രീയപരമായി വളരെയധികം പക്വത കാട്ടുന്നവരാണ് തിരുവനന്തപുരത്തുകാരെന്നും, ആയതിനാല് തരൂരിന്റെ ഗിമ്മിക്കുകളൊക്കെ പാഴായിപ്പോകുമെന്നാണ് അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ വാദം. ഈ മല്സരം അരാഷ്ട്രീയവാദികളും ജനാധിപത്യ സ്നേഹികളും തമ്മിലാണ്. കേരളത്തിന്റെ രാഷ്ട്രീയ തലസ്ഥാനമായ തിരുവനതപുരത്തെ ജനങ്ങള് രാഷ്ട്രീയമായി പക്വതയുള്ളവര് തന്നെയാണെന്നും, ഈ തെരെഞ്ഞെടുപ്പില് മൂന്നാംകിട ഗിമ്മിക്കുകളിലൊന്നും വീഴാതെ പക്വതയുള്ള തീരുമാനങ്ങളൊക്കെയെടുക്കുമെന്നും പ്രതീക്ഷിച്ചു കൊണ്ട് ഞാന് ഉപസംഹരിക്കുന്നു.
ഓഫ്: എന്തുകൊണ്ട് ബി.ടെക്കുകാര് “പൊതുവെ” assume ചെയ്യുവാന് മുന്നില് നില്ക്കുന്നു? കാര്യങ്ങള് എളുപ്പത്തില് നടത്താം എന്നൊരു ഗുണമുള്ളത് കൊണ്ടാണോ? Theory-യില് ഒരു പ്രശ്നത്തിന്റെ സങ്കീര്ണ്ണത (complexity) കുറയ്ക്കുവാന് assumptions-ന് കഴിഞ്ഞേക്കുമെങ്കിലും, യാഥാര്ത്ഥ്യത്തില് നിന്നും നമ്മളെയകറ്റി നിര്ത്തുന്നതും ഈ assumptions ആണ്. അത് കൊണ്ട് പ്രായോഗിക ജീവിതത്തില് assumptions-ഉം മുന്വിധികളുമൊക്കെ പരമാവധി കുറയ്ക്കുവാന് ശ്രമിക്കുക.
Well said, Hari. I think we have been saying the same things about Tharoor’s candidature.
Lol, just to make a point. If Tharoor has a “hidden” corporate agenda, we may not be too disappointed, especially if that agenda is to help a few of those “hidden corporates” to set up in Trivandrum or hereabouts.
And as you and I have said, if we are going to toss our coins into the election roulette wheel, let’s place our bets on the best candidate by far!
Hi Mr.ഞാന്,
Some of your points are true.As a reader I would like to reply to some of your comments.
1)എനിക്ക് മനസ്സിലാകാത്തതൊന്നേയുള്ളൂ. രാഷ്ട്രീയക്കാരന് എന്ന പദം, എന്ന് മുതലാണ് കൊള്ളക്കാരന്റെ പര്യായം ആയതു്?
None want to call them dacoits.But unfortunately standard of our politicians(Political parties) gone very much lower.And they moved away from common man.Did you ever asked yourself or anyone about this? I think now it is POLITRICKS not politics.Most of our politicians attitude is “Deepasthabam mahashcharaym namukum kittanam panam”.
I dont say all politicians are corrupted,but unfortunately those who are corrupted are more powerful.
2)ബി.എസ്.പി സ്ഥാനാര്ത്ഥി ശ്രീ. നീലലോഹിതദാസന് നാടാരുടെയും ജീവിത ചരിത്രവും, രാഷ്ട്രീയ ചരിത്രവുമൊക്കെ മുഴുവന് പഠിച്ചിട്ടാണോ അവരെ കൊള്ളക്കാര് എന്ന് വിളിച്ചാക്ഷേപിക്കുന്നത്?
Do you want to discuss his matter here.All here know his history,he may not be a kollakaran but the moral history is not good.
3)ശശി തരൂര് എന്ന ബ്യൂറോക്രാറ്റും അഴിമതിക്കറയില് നിന്ന് മുക്തനല്ലായെന്ന് പകല് പോലെ വ്യക്തമാണ്. എന്നിട്ടും എന്തടിസ്ഥാനത്തിലാണ് ശശി തരൂരിന് മാത്രം ക്ലീന് സെര്ട്ടിഫിക്കറ്റ് കൊടുക്കുന്നത് എന്ന് എനിക്ക് മനസ്സിലാകുന്നില്ല.
No one is give him any clean chit.We tried and selected many POLITICIANS from Trivandrum.What we got here??? Any noticable developments??? Unfortunately we did not get much.In my view,why cant we try ശശി തരൂര്?
4)ജനാധിപത്യത്തിന് തീരാക്കളങ്കമായ അപക്വമതികളായ അരാഷ്ട്രീയവാദികളും (ഭാരതം നേരിടുന്ന വെല്ലുവിളി വിധ്വംസകവാദികളോ, പാക്കിസ്ഥാനോ, ചൈനയോ, നക്സലൈറ്റുകളോ അല്ല “അരാഷ്ട്രീയവാദമാണ്”. അതു് കൊണ്ട് തന്നെ രാജ്യസ്നേഹമുള്ളവര് ഈ അരാഷ്ട്രീയവാദികളെ പല്ലും നഖവും ഉപയോഗിച്ചു തന്നെ നേരിടണം), “politically neutral” എന്ന നപുംസക നിലപാടു് കൈക്കൊണ്ട special-അരാഷ്ട്രീയവാദികളും
I agree to one of your point here,our(India’s) main enemies are ourself.Whats our now political parties and politicians are doing??? To get some vote they are ready to compromise with their ideology,”അപ്പൊള് കന്ഡവനെ അപ്പാ എന്നു വിളിക്കുന്ന ഒരു രീതി” this is what they follow.So in my view താങ്കള് പറയുന്ന ഈ അരാഷ്ട്രീയവാദികളും,“politically neutral” എന്ന നപുംസക നിലപാടു് കൈക്കൊണ്ട special-അരാഷ്ട്രീയവാദികളും better ആണ്.Everyone has their own view(political),so you cant simply call someone അരാഷ്ട്രീയവാദി or politically neutral.
In your comments here, you were lashed out against those neutral people.I would like to ask you some question here,Who’s responsible for these communal forces(what ever religion or casts) to be strong here,and dictate(candidates name for election) the SO CALLED SECULAR POLITRICAL PARTIES??? is it the politically neutral people???I think our well educated kerala people are not that dump, all knew the answer to these questions.
5)ഓഫ്: എന്തുകൊണ്ട് ബി.ടെക്കുകാര് “പൊതുവെ” assume ചെയ്യുവാന് മുന്നില് നില്ക്കുന്നു? കാര്യങ്ങള് എളുപ്പത്തില് നടത്താം എന്നൊരു ഗുണമുള്ളത് കൊണ്ടാണോ? Theory-യില് ഒരു പ്രശ്നത്തിന്റെ സങ്കീര്ണ്ണത (complexity) കുറയ്ക്കുവാന് assumptions-ന് കഴിഞ്ഞേക്കുമെങ്കിലും, യാഥാര്ത്ഥ്യത്തില് നിന്നും നമ്മളെയകറ്റി നിര്ത്തുന്നതും ഈ assumptions ആണ്. അത് കൊണ്ട് പ്രായോഗിക ജീവിതത്തില് assumptions-ഉം മുന്വിധികളുമൊക്കെ പരമാവധി കുറയ്ക്കുവാന് ശ്രമിക്കുക.
About the assumption matter,All common people assumes that those candidates(political/non political) who get elected will do something for the people.But unfortunately common man’s situation goes to square one state.Not only B-Tech people,all in this world assumes.You also assumed that Tharoor is not a good candidate.So lets dont speak about assumptions.
Cheers,
Krishna
I like observing the ongoing discussion :).. the comments page of a well put post on controversial topics supported by facts is the best place to hold such discussions..
oh.. and like i mentioned in ur next post, i think i agree to his canditature too.. we shud give him a chance to see if kerala politicians can come to any good ever..
1) “An educated criminal is more dangerous than an uneducated criminal” Shashi Tharoor is well educated but that under no means says that he is a good politician. A politician need not have a Phd. All that he needs is the ability to communicate with the poor and strong leadership skills. There are IAS, IPS officers and scientists who can solve problems. Studying in a foreign university never means that he is a good leader. Agree?
2) Who has more chances of to power if Shashi Tharoor wins? Sonia led UPA? Sonia Gandhi opposed banning of SIMI and her Govt has in the last 4 years not solved a SINGLE terrorism case in the last 4 years. They have not yet hanged Afsal Guru who was found guilty by the Hon. Supreme Court of India. 5 years is not enough for that? We are not voting an individual to power but the group he represents. It is beyond doubt that Sonia picked Shashi Tharoor because of the reputation he has here. And yes, its all a part of politics.
3) Remember that the UPA govt is famous for reservation policies for minority appeasement, CBSE status to madarassas that teach Islam religion for votebanks.
Mr. Advani and BJP might be communal but far far better than the “secular” Congress govt that is looking to divide the country based on religion. Rajasthan riots can be seen as an example. Do you know that there are worse things happening than Godhra. The ethnic cleansing of 4 lakh Hindus from Kashmir. Had BJP and Sangh been against all religions other than Hinduism, how come they are not attacking Sikhs, Parsis, Jains, Buddhists but only Mulsims and missionaries.
I am fan of your blog, but it is beyond doubt that this is really a ONE sided and biased post to vote for Shashi Tharoor. I humbly request you to do a background research of all good things that the BJP govt has done during its term under Vajpayee.
PS: I am no BJP supporter, but please please bother to listen to both sides before you reach a conclusion. Just because Mr. Shashi Tharoor is well educated doesn’t mean he is good.
An extremely biased and one sided view hari. I love visiting your blog and reading your wonderful posts. But this one, is taking things a bit too far. Why?
Tharoor may be a good man. But look deeper and study the party that backs him. The congress is hypocracy personified. A dynastic empire, owned and run by generations of a single family for the past five decades. And what have they done for the country in all these years except for repeating and reinventing their classic century old slogan “garibi hatao”? That man (tharoor) has absolutely no future in a one family party which treats the nation as its kitchen dustbin. My country deserves better than a “sicko pseudo secular” sonia gandhi and her dropout hybrid son. Advani may be communal to you, but for me and millions of others around the country he’s the only option to a puppet whose only job is to keep the seat warm for mr gandhi jr. Compare india under vajpayee and the india under the upa and see for yourself. “communal” modi has transformed the face of gujarat today! Vote the congies back and all you get is job reservation in the private sector as promised by them in their manifesto. Sorry hari. My vote goes to the “communals”. I’d have loved to vote tharoor had he stood as an independent.
I got this blog while searching in google for Mr Tharoor.
Being a congress supporter I cant digest Mr Tharoor being made the candidate.Tharoor`s ideology and congress ideology are on different poles.Tharoor seems to be a supporter of America`s free market capitalism(American`s themselves are disapproving it but without a label) which is defenitly not the congress ideology;but it seems an American lobby has formed in congress itself and if won tharoor will only strengthen it…Tharoor`s stand on Israel is ambiguous.He is no sympathiser of the Palestinian cause which I believe every human who believe in humanity should sympathise for..
If my vote was on Trivandrum constituency(I have to take atleast two leaves from an MNC and travel 1000kms to vote)it would have been a hard decision to make.
BJP is a pure communal force who is another proponent of building development and edifices over the dead body of millions of people.BJP is only concerned about the Brahmin elite and some business lobby`s like Ambanis or cricket lobby`s like IPL,NOT ABOUT THE COUNTRY India..Only a person who is a proponent of unfounded hatred will vote for candidates like Varun Gandhi,not a reasonable man..
The third front is an unstable coalition and i believe that even if come to power it cant hold together for more than six months.moreover am not a marxist though the left has started encroaching congres territory and ideology…
I will defenitly travel 1000 kms to vote for congress in another constituency not because they have made Tharoor the candidate in some constituency but because I still believe the voice of V.M Sudheeran,Mullappally ramachandran,AK Antony etc have still a voice in congress and partly because I have no other option….
I urge youth think twice before voting Tharoor and please dont vote him beacause he has a Phd or he has won debate.Vote because he can represent us as a people if you feel he is one of us.Not because he exhibits corporate qualities but if he can lead us togetherand if he fits into the ethics of the country…Iam confused ….anyway there is no need for me to decide on Trivandrum..
Being there in trivandrum for 4 years during my engineering, anyway i think the majority voters in the constituency are politically conscious and their will should be approved whatever it is….Iam eagerly waiting for the results
@ All:
I’m sorry, but none of the comments in this post will elicit replies from me. The fact being that, this post has literally snowballed into quite a fight. I’m a politically neutral person and by answering some comments, I might have to be judgemental at times, thus affecting my political views.
However, feel free to voice your thoughts here – be it in support of Tharoor or against him. 🙂
Hi Hari, nice blog..well written and i must say that you have done a beautiful analysis. I am not a congress supporter..in fact i admit that i like certain ideologies of the BJP, the most important of them being the uniform civil code as i am a strong advocate for having the same laws for all the citizens of our country. Anyway i have to say that more than anything you have to vote for the person and not basically for the party. And my vote goes to Shashi Tharoor for what he is…We cannot expect a better candidate than him . In fact, it would be a embarrassing for all Trivandrumites if he loses (god forbid) from Trivandrum…
Prasanth…I cant agree more with you on your points..Perfect. But the point here is, we all know for a fact that BJP is not going to win from Trivandrum (unfortunately). Lets face it..So then the question, who else to opt for. Communists are the biggest opportunists ever. More than the development of our country, they are interested in CHina and Russia. Then the last option is Congress. Here the point is, I feel a person like Shashi Tharoor with the vast experience he has can or I hope will certainly make a difference.
Let’s see. Let’s hope lotus will blossom here in tvm this time. My point is its easy to choose between evil and bad. 🙂 So no Tharoor.
I am amazed at why everyone says “I want BJP to come into power butBJP won’t win so I wont vote for them” Instead of telling this why can’t everyone vote and let’s see what will happen. Atleast we can tell we tried for a CHANGE. Right? 🙂
Does poverty have religion? http://dynz.net/prasanth
people get fooled into thinking BJP will do great. but its so obvious what their agenda is from events such as Godhra and Mangalore. the moment they gained some power, they have neutered the police and the communal divide has widened, with the minorities getting cornered. its the same thing that has happened in Kerala with the commies taking over policing and letting the DYFI and SFI goons do their own enforcement. but obviously they are a lesser evil than a force that will go on to divide India and ruin the very fabric of our nation.
its obvious that tharoor’s candidature is a breakthrough for politics in Kerala. not only will this inspire younger educated folks into taking reigns, but it should also distance the current bunch of criminals and looters away from power – atleast over a period of time! if we as a state remain blind and foolish enough to not vote for change, then we are done for.
i sincerely hope ST wins!
people get fooled into thinking BJP will do great. but its so obvious what their agenda is from events such as Godhra and Mangalore. the moment they gained some power, they have neutered the police and the communal divide has widened, with the minorities getting cornered. its the same thing that has happened in Kerala with the commies taking over policing and letting the DYFI and SFI goons do their own enforcement. but obviously they are a lesser evil than a force that will go on to divide India and ruin the very fabric of our nation.
its obvious that tharoor’s candidature is a breakthrough for politics in Kerala. not only will this inspire younger educated folks into taking reigns, but it should also distance the current bunch of criminals and looters away from power – atleast over a period of time! if we as a state remain blind and foolish enough to not vote for change, then we are done for.
i sincerely hope ST wins!
@ All
Once more! Thanks for officially making this *THE* best blogpost in my blog. Keep commenting! 🙂 please don’t see my refusal to answer your comments as my arrogance or something. I’m just trying to stay independent. 😀
Hi Hari,
Like your blog, especially the question “who else can i vote for”..He has an excellent vision for Trivandrum, Lets hope that he is successful in implementing it ..crossing my fingers.