Congress does not rule out action against Tharoor

“Congress party condemns what Tharoor had said…the party will take whatever action is appropriate and necessary at an appropriate time,” Party spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters here as the controversy surrounding his remarks snowballed further.

On Gehlot’s demand for resignation of Tharoor,Tewari said,”…it is natural. Obviously when you have statements like this,there are bound to be reactions.”

Gehlot had said on Thursday that it was unfortunate and unbecoming on Tharoor’s part to make such “irresponsible” comments and he should tender his resignation.

On Friday,Ghelot repeated his demand maintaining he should resign on his own rather than wait for Prime Minister or the party High Command to seek his resignation.

He said Tharoor should apologise to the nation for his remarks which were condemnable.

Late last night,Tharoor,currently in Liberia on an official visit,posted an apology on Twitter saying he meant no disrespect to economy class travellers.

“It is silly expression but meant no disrespect to economy travellers,only to airlines for herding us in like cattle. Many have misunderstood.

“I am told it sounds worse in Malayalam,especially out of context. To those hurt by the belief that my repeating the phrase showed contempt: sorry,” he said.

In a posting on the Twitter today,Tharoor remarked “glad to see my tweeting last night was noticed”.

Tewari said the party’s reaction to Tharoor’s statement is very much clear from what another party spokesperson Jayanti Natarajan said two days back.

Natarjan had on Wedensday strongly condemned Tharoor’s remark saying the party disapproved of it as it was not in sync with the party’s political culture.

The party also ticked off Tharoor’s aide Jacob Joseph for his “retweeting” remarks on the networking site Twitter ridiculing another spokesperson Jayanthi Natarjan and virtually the party for being critical of Tharoor.

“I would not like to dignify the commnent of an aide by commenting on it from this podium. Kindly do not give undue and unnecessary importance to people who have no contribution to public life,” Tewari said.

To repeated questions over the issue,he said,”I have nothing to add or subtract to what I have already said”.

Tewari also evaded a direct reply on whether the party feels that the ministers should not tweet. Earlier a party leader had said that ministers should not be on Twitter.

Asked whether the party has different principles for different leaders vis a vis Rahul Gandhi’s alleged expensive air travel to South India,Tewari said,” you have to balance austerity and security. The larger issue of security has to be kept in mind when such leaders travel.”

Tewari also claimed that examples of austerity led by Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi amply conveyed to the party their intent.