Cong sticks to its tough line on Tharoor despite PM remark

NEW DELHI: Notwithstanding Prime Minister Manmohan Singh downplaying the Twitter remarks of Shashi Tharoor, Congress on Saturday appeared to be sticking to its tough line on the controversial remarks of the Union Minister over economy class travel.

"The party stands by whatever it has said and it has nothing to add or subtract," party spokesman Shakeel Ahmad told reporters when asked about the party line in the wake of Singh dismissing the remark as a joke.

He was referring to the party's strong disapproval of Tharoor's "cattle class" comment and said appropriate and necessary action would be taken at an appropriate time.

Party spokesman Manish Tewari had said this in the backdrop of demand by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for Tharoor's resignation.

But, after a meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Gehlot sought to close the issue after the Prime Minister's comments.

The Prime Minister had yesterday dismissed Tharoor's comment as a "joke" leading to a feeling that the Minister of State for External Affairs minister may be spared.

Tharoor's reference to economy class air travel by ministers in furtherance of government's austerity measures as "cattle class" had triggered a controversy.

Congress sources said that partymen were also agitated over the remarks by Tharoor's OSD on Twitter in which he has also attacked party spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan and that no action has been taken against the official.