Earlier today in my Google News feed, I was surprised to note a story in the Indian news about Shashi Tharoor’s campaign for a Lok Sabha seat in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Tharoor, whom we’ve written about relatively often at Sepia Mutiny, was until 2007 the Under-Secretary General of the United Nations. He is currently 53, which makes him practically a baby in Indian Political Years; he could certainly have a significant political career ahead of him in India if things work out. The nation-wide Parliamentary elections start in India next month.
Tharoor is running as a Congress Party/UPA member. He has started a bilingual website to articulate his campaign platform. Here is his recent announcement at the Huffington Post, explaining roughly what he’s trying to do:
On Thursday night, 19 March 2009, the Indian National Congress party announced my nomination as its candidate for the Lok Sabha (the Lower House of Parliament) at the forthcoming General Elections. I will contest from the capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram (known more familiarly as Trivandrum).
It’s a huge turn in my life and involves a further “reboot” two years after leaving the UN. The seat is currently held by the Communist Party of India, which has nominated its general secretary. There are also candidates from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a former Congress Member of Parliament, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as well an independent candidate who has already outspent the rest of us and whose posters have been plastered across the city. Rumours are circulating of a sixth possible entrant into the fray. Psephologists would have about as much accuracy as astrologers in predicting the outcome of such a complex contest.
Thiruvananthapuram is only about 40% urban Рthe rest of the constituency, stretching to the southernmost tip of the country, is rural, and includes a large coastal community dependent largely upon fishing. As I embark on this voyage, every clich̩ about sailing into uncharted waters and choppy seas applies to me. (link)
I wish Tharoor all the best, though I have no idea what the local political issues might be that would affect his chances against an established Communist MP in this race. (Is Communist Party support in Thiruvanananthapuram effectively permanent?) Given Tharoor’s international stature, it’s hard to imagine this is anything other than a stepping-stone to a high level post in the next UPA government (if there is one, and if he wins). Obviously not Prime Minister (too soon for that); perhaps something else?
As a side note, Tharoor has recently been accused by environmentalists of being too cozy with the Coca Cola corporation, as he serves on the advisory board of the Yatn Foundation, a philanthropic organization funded by Coke. The letter criticizing him is “An Open Letter to Shashi Tharoor”. Tharoor’s response to the criticisms is here. Any comments on the Coke plant/water issues at issue here? I don’t know much about it (Tharoor’s defense of both his involvement and the Coca Cola Corporation seem persuasive to me on first glance.)
What the leftist talk about shashi seems to be correct see his website http://www.afrasusa.com . they are sub contractors to US army
Shashi Tharoor is an asset to Kerala’s political model. There is no one similar to Tharoor in Kerala politics now. but he too good for the religious-politicians there that they wont allow him to survive there. Present day Kerala politics is a religious mud pit. In the present situation those who play dirty cards win there. Tharoor on the other hand is a liberal, secular, open-minded humanist.
what the handle said.
There are reports that Shashi Tharoor has been planted into India. His present wife is a Canadian Citizen and a diplomat. He left his former wife a brilliant talented Bengali, Tillottama Mukherji for this Canadian women. The Canadian lady helped him a lot!
The CBI should keep a watch on Tharoor for the good of India.
Ganesh Naik orders the rehabilitation of street vendors. Labour and Enviornment Minsiter Ganesh Naik has ordered the proper rehabilitation of an estimation of an estimated hawkers who have been displaced by the ongoing work of Sanpada-Palm Beach Flyover. Among those who have lost theirs means of livelihood were vegetable vendors and some women’s self help groups. On 10 January, they went with their grievances to labour minister Ganesh Naik immediately directed NMMC that the affected persons be provided with a suitable plot where they can continue their businesses. http://ganeshnaik-navimumbai.blogspot.com/ http://www.ganeshnaik.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesh_Naik
Navi Mumbai Civic committees push through projects worth Rs 120 crore in just two meetings However, Standing Committee Chairman Sandeep Naik denied all the allegations and said, “All corporators are unanimously approving all civic tender proposals, because corporation election will be held next year, and all of them will be answerable to the public. Therefore, they are giving immediate approvals to civic tenders like condominium work and so on.” Naik added, “The works under JNNURM has to be finished within time, otherwise Union government won’t sanction funds for next phase of works. So, we are ensuring that all the approvals are sanctioned as soon as possible so that city is benefited maximum.” When contacted, Municipal Commissioner Vijay Nahata stated, “Each condominium work proposal is treated as independent case and contractors applying for this work should have minimum experience of doing similarly work of worth Rs 3crore. In that case, he can apply for one or more tenders. Besides, the tender is being allotted considering the eligibility and lowest quotation put up by the contractors.”Members of NMMC’s standing committee are a busy lot these days http://www.blogcatalog.com/blogs/sandeep-naik-inauguarate-road-at-mukesh-gaikwad-ward.html http:/www.sandeepnaik.com http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandeep_Naik
Redevelopment of old buildings in city The long wait is finally over. As promised by Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik last week, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan sanctioned some key, long-pending issues that were bothering residents of Navi Mumbai for long. The main issue remains the sanctioning of additional FSI of 2.5 for residents of JN1 and JN2 buildings in Vashi and permission to rebuild these dilapidated structures, some of which need urgent repairs. Residents of JN1 and JN2 are rejoicing over the announcement made by state government. Ex-corporator Kishore Patkar said, “It was a long-pending proposal and residents of these buildings were waiting for last 15 years for a decision in this matter. We are indebted to Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik who kept his word and followed up on the matter regularly.” http://www.ganeshnaik.com/ http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Ganesh_Naik http://navimumbai-ganeshjinaik.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html
All the major civic tenders are approved before election code of conduct is implemented. “All corporators are unanimously approving all civic tender proposals, because corporation election will be held next year, and all of them will be answerable to the public. Therefore, they are giving immediate approvals to civic tenders like condominium work and so on.” Sandeep Naik added, “The works under JNNURM has to be finished within time, otherwise Union government won’t sanction funds for next phase of works. So, we are ensuring that all the approvals are sanctioned as soon as possible so that city is benefited maximum.In that case, he can apply for one or more tenders. Besides, the tender is being allotted considering the eligibility and lowest quotation put up by the contractors.