Noted author-politician Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said he would write a book on the grand success of Bharat Jodo Yatra (BJY) as it has significantly rehabilitated the image and success of Rahul Gandhi who undertook his journey on foot from Kanyakumari to Srinagar.
Stating that he is already writing a column on BJY in a Malayalam newspaper’s website, Tharoor told a press conference at the Jaipur Literature Festival that it has been confirmed that Yatra has a huge success in the country.
“It has very significantly rehabilitated the image of Rahul Gandhi. After all, a caricature of Pappu business was erased. The older caricature was based on three charges: One, he is a politician who sits on small dharna, and participates in protests only. Now, it is proven that he has been marching on roads not for a day, but for 150 days on 3,570 kms. Now, you cannot put this first charge anymore”, Tharoor asserted.
On the second charge that RaGa was arrogant, inaccessible, etc., he said, “What do you see now, he meets all sorts of people, from all walks of life, shakes their hands or holds them, and marches with them,” he said.
Debunking the third charge that RaGa is not serious and cannot talk on politics, Tharoor, pointing out that he (Rahul) has had dozens of press conferences, asked as to how PM Narendra Modi held till
“He (Rahul) is totally transformed by his Yatra. The public has seen the outcome,” he added.
“RaGa’s BJY has energised the party and its workers inspired everyone and given new energy,” Tharoor affirmed, adding that if the party wants to win the next Lok Sabha polls in 2024, then the party workers, who feel motivated should go for an energetic campaign to have it.
On the dissidence in the Congress, especially between Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and his former Deuty Chief Minister Sachin Pilot over CM chair, Tharoor said a sort of factionalism does exist in every political party, and even BJP is not an exception. The cause of differences between two leaders (senior, junior or young) could be many, but the ideology was the same in the Congress. There could be different opinions among the Congress leaders but “we all oppose BJP, and the Congress party has to decide and solve the factionalism, if it persists for long”.
When asked to comment on the war of words like Nikkama, Gaddan, useless, Jadugar between Gehlot and Pilot, the author-cum-politician said, “When we are speaking about our colleagues, we should speak thoughtfully. I didn’t even say such words to my opponents. Seniors should think about the younger generation”.
“Are there any monolithic political parties in the country, do they not have differences of opinions in the BJP? The Congress has democracy for everyone regardless of age, junior or senior and calibre”, he pointed out.
Will he write anytime on romance? When asked, the noted author said, “I have not written a book for the last 21 years, because I am working on important subjects related to politics and the country. That’s why I haven’t got a chance to write about romance as well. When you all send me out of politics, then I will try to write on romance and other issues. Anyway, I get many letters about writing about romance . In such a situation, I will definitely write about this when I get time”.
When questioned on legal punching on politicians and interference in the legislature, he said, “I believe that the Constitution has given an independent and autonomous status to the judiciary. I think this principle is not being followed by those in power. They really have the ability to create pressure on the Judiciary. In such a situation, there is a need to strengthen the judiciary. Wherever it comes to the rights of the Judiciary and the Constitution, we should speak up to protect it.”