Courting Controversy the Shashi Tharoor Way

Our man, the very dapper Mr. Shashi Tharoor certainly has a knack for courting controversy. When he is not calling economy class “cattle class” he manages to upset the high command of his own party by commenting on the policies of it erstwhile founding member-Nehru. And now the suspect connections between him and a Dubai based beautician, who seems to have gotten a $15 million stake in an IPL team, has put him right back in the eye of the storm.

Sure Mr. Tharoor is innocent till proven guilty and I even understand him when he calls economy class air travel what it is, but what he must realise is that he is not me or simply an acclaimed member of the elite intelligentsia any more. He is now a member of the ruling party and he must pay heed to the political correctness that his situation demands. Yes he is young, dynamic and his public school education has given him a distinct erudition and intellect, but he is now the leader of the common man and has to connect with him.

This common man neither knows of nor appreciates Twitter. This common man walks miles just for clean water and to him a journey in the economy class of any airliner would be a luxury beyond imagination let alone a trip in cattle class, and this common man cares if his elected leader even seems to be making millions through a thinly veiled sports franchise while he and his family wonder where their next meal is coming from.

So my suggestion to Mr. Tharoor is- do not be a politician but you definitely need to understand the sensitivities that your new role requires. Nothing you do is personal any more. Everything private about you is open for public discussion. Sorry man it comes with the territory. Tweet Tweet!