He had organised a cleanliness drive which was termed as part of Modi's campaign
The state congress leaders allege that Mr Tharoor's cleanliness campaign was to give legitimacy to Mr Modi's mission. Any decision to initiate disciplinary action will be finalised in consultation with AICC disciplinary committee chairman A.K.
Thiruvananthapuram: With Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor continuing with his Modi praise despite repeated warnings, the state leadership is all set to apprise the high command about the embarrassment being faced by the party here.
KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran, who will attend the the PCC chiefs’ stock-taking meeting in Delhi, is likely to take up the matter with the central leadership. Mr Tharoor had organised a cleanliness drive at Vizhijnjam harbour on Saturday which the Congressmen termed as part of ‘Swachh Bharat’ campaign.
The MP had tweeted his pictures along with a message. The same evening Prime Minister Modi tweeted, “A great effort @Shashi Tharoor! His active participation in Swachh Bharat Mission is very encouraging.”
The state congress leaders allege that Mr Tharoor’s cleanliness campaign was to give legitimacy to Mr Modi’s mission. Any decision to initiate disciplinary action will be finalised in consultation with AICC disciplinary committee chairman A.K. Antony, party sources said.
Even national TV channels had given prominence to Mr Tharoor’s cleanliness drive saying that he had defied the Congress leadership directive not to cooperate with Mr Modi’s politically-motivated Swachh Bharat campaign.
When contacted, senior Congress leader and Information Minister K.C. Joseph told DC that Mr Tharoor’s action was an embarrassment to the party. “The MP has failed to understand that Modi’s was just a publicity stunt. He should not have fallen into the trap,’’ he added.
“Now I am 65. Even during my college days we used to observe cleanliness day throughout the state on Gandhi Jayanti. Modi has no concrete proposal, he only resorted to propaganda on that day and there is no follow-up,’’ the minister said.
On any disciplinary action against Mr Tharoor, Mr Joseph said, “I hope he will realise that the Swachh Bharat campaign is only Modi’s image-building exercise. He should not fall a prey to his stunts,’’ he added.
Earlier this month, Mr Tharoor was removed as official spokesperson by the AICC following a complaint from the KPCC. He was accused of repeatedly praising Mr Modi.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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