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Sam Pitroda’s remarks ‘very trivial’ and irrelevant to elections: Shashi Tharoor
KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)
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Summary
Tharoor’s comments come amidst a heated election campaign, where he accused Prime Minister Modi’s campaign of showing desperation, suggesting that the BJP is sensing trouble in several states. He remarked that PM Modi’s strategy is an attempt to divert attention from the real issues facing Indian voters.
Congress MP and former Minister of State for External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor has weighed in on the recent controversy surrounding Sam Pitroda’s remarks, dismissing it as “very trivial” and “not relevant to the election.” Tharoor acknowledged Pitroda’s comments as a “clumsy analogy” but criticised both the BJP and government critics for adding racist tones to the discourse.
“We should celebrate the diversity of Indian people, we should celebrate the diversity of the world population, whether you’re African or Indian or Chinese shouldn’t matter.” Tharoor added, “You’re all citizens of the world.”
Tharoor’s comments come amidst a heated election campaign, where he accused Prime Minister Modi’s campaign of showing desperation, suggesting that the BJP is sensing trouble in several states. He strongly criticised Prime Minister Modi‘s campaign tactics, stating that the Prime Minister’s approach “demeans the distinguished office he holds.” He remarked that PM Modi’s strategy is an attempt to divert attention from the real issues facing Indian voters.
The Congress MP said that the signs are encouraging for their side rather than for the ruling party. He highlighted a surprising degree of absenteeism and apathy among traditional BJP voters, indicating a volatile campaign from both sides.
“What we are picking up from all three places and I have been campaigning elsewhere since the Kerala voting, what we are picking up everywhere is that the BJP strongholds have witnessed a surprising degree of absenteeism and indeed apathy on the part of their traditional voters,” he said.
Tharoor questioned the efficacy of PM Modi’s promises, highlighting the lack of job creation and economic growth during the BJP’s tenure. He pointed out the decline in income levels for the majority of Indians and the failure of government initiatives like Skill India and Make in India. The Congress MP emphasised that the election should be about the well-being of ordinary voters and their self-interest.
Tharoor discussed Congress’s plans if elected, highlighting the implementation of five NYAY schemes for social justice and the need to undo the damage done by the BJP over the last 10 years. He criticised BJP’s governance, stating, “Unemployment is at a record high, farmers’ income hasn’t even gone up by 10%,” and pointing out, “Make In India was PM’s slogan, but manufacturing has declined as a percentage of the GDP from 13% to 10%.”
Expressing optimism about the election outcome, Tharoor predicted a clean sweep for Congress in Kerala and BJP getting zero seats in Tamil Nadu. He noted a poor show by BJP in at least four southern states and emphasised that “the election is about the ordinary voter and their livelihoods.”
“But without exception, I think for the five southern states, we’re looking at a relatively poor show by the BJP and the NDA and a very strong showing by the Congress Party and the INDIA bloc,” he added.
“It’s about whether you feel you have gained or suffered in these 10 years of Modi misrule,” Tharoor concluded.
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