Tharoor meets Sonia, Pranab; told to be careful

NEW DELHI: After triggering a controversy by his "cattle class" remark, Union minister Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday met Congress president Sonia Gandhi and was asked by the party to desist from any comments or actions, even jokingly, that would hurt the sentiments of common people.

Soon after his return from Liberia and Ghana where he was on an official visit, Tharoor met Gandhi amid demands for his resignation as minister of state for external affairs.

Later he also met senior Congress leader and finance minister Pranab Mukherjee.

A glum-faced Tharoor did not speak to waiting mediapersons after his meetings with Gandhi and Mukherjee.

While it was not known what transpired during these meetings, party spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed said "any well-wisher of the party, government and Tharoor will advise him to desist from any comments or action even jokingly that would hurt the sentiments of the common man."

His comment on his Twitter last week dubbing travel in economy class as "cattle class" had evoked strong rebuke from the AICC.

"We totally condemn it (Tharoor's comments). The statement is not in sync with our political culture. His remarks are not acceptable given the sensitivity of all Indians," AICC spokesperson Jayanti Natarajan had said.

"Certainly the party does not endorse it. It is absolutely insensitive. We find it unacceptable and totally insensitive," the Congress spokesperson had said.

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot had even demanded his resignation as minister of state for external affairs.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had, however, downplayed the controversy saying Tharoor's comment was a joke.