The Cong leader said that while he is touched by the gesture, he isn't interested in taking up the post
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has finally spoken out about a petition on Change.org that calls to nominate him as the UPA prime ministerial candidate for the 2019 elections.
"Tharoor is a man well qualified with deep knowledge of international and national issues, who can connect with the people of India and with world leaders,” reads the online petition launched by a Thiruvananthapuram-based user.
However, the Congress leader in a Facebook post on Friday said that while he was touched with the gesture, he had no such ambitions.
"I was both surprised and touched by the Change.org petition that has been circulating over the last few days suggesting a greater role for me in the Congress Party and in national politics in the 2019 elections, and by the response this has received. I do, however, feel it is time to make it clear that I neither support nor endorse such a campaign.
"While I initially chose to ignore the petition, because this is not how Indian politics works, the attention it has gathered in the media, and especially on social media, obliges me to respond.
I thank the creator of this petition, who I understand is from Thiruvananthapuram, for his faith in me as his representative in Parliament, and thank everyone who has signed it so far for their good wishes. I have, however, discouraged those of my “followers” who have asked me about this from doing so, since I do not support such a campaign.
"I am a member of Parliament for the Congress Party, nothing more and nothing less. The party has a settled leadership, which is not up for debate. When changes occur they do so through an established procedure.
"I want to assure those who have nonetheless so generously expressed their faith in me that I share their aspiration for a better India, an aspiration that can best be given voice and expression through the Indian National
"Congress and the values it enshrines, and will continue to work towards realizing our national destiny and upholding the principles that underpin this destiny.
"I will continue, to the best of my abilities, with my work in Parliament, in Thiruvananthapuram, and in articulating my hopes for India and the ideas that make India -- on those party platforms that are available to me, as well as on the national and international stage and through my writings.
"Once again, I thank everyone for their faith and support, and request that the petition be withdrawn.
"Jai Hind!" he wrote.
Read the post here:
Tharoor, the two-time parliamentarian from Thiruvananthapuram, had worked at the United Nations for over 30 years in various positions. He had also served as Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information. In addition, the 61-year-old internationally known speaker has authored several books, including the latest one Inglorious Empire.
Over the past few months, Tharoor has emerged as the most vocal of all Congress leaders and his popularity is at an all-time high following his book release and subsequent appearances in international shows highlighting how Britain drained India of its wealth and the fact that Great Britain had 'historical amnesia.'
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