Media distorted my remarks, Tharoor tells PM

In the wake of a controversy over his reported comments on Nehru, Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor on Sunday explained to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the media had distorted his remarks.

Tharoor talked to Dr Singh over phone on Sunday morning and explained that the media had misinterpreted his comments, which he had made as chairman of a seminar at the Indian Council of World Affairs on Friday.

He told the Prime Minister that the reports were inaccurate and tendentious, sources said.

Tharoor also explained his position to Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who advised him to clarify to the media and not let any ambiguity prevail.

At the subsequent press conference, when asked whether he had spoken to the Prime Minister, Tharoor said: "Yes, I have spoken to a number of people who are disturbed about this type of press reporting. There are some press reports that are less tendentious. But as far as I am concerned, this is my view of the matter and I have shared this view with those I have spoken to".