In the background is another frivolous controversy about the alleged disrespect for the national anthem, when Tharoor suggested to an audience some time ago to keep their hands on their chests to show greater respect for the anthem. Someone filed a case against him for violating the code, which requires the audience to stand at attention and he has been summoned to appear before the court two days after the voting in Kerala.
The issue really is the suspicion that Tharoor is seeking to import American model of behaviour into India.
The amazing array of the diverse issues raised is testimony to the fact that Tharoor is a frontrunner and he is immune to the usual charges of inefficiency and corruption. Innovative brains in the Opposition are inventing issues to combat this charismatic candidate.
The voters in Thiruvananthapuram, particularly women, are reputed to have a weakness for young and handsome faces. Tharoor has no rivals in this department and his smiling face on the hoardings entices voters from every side. No amount of mudslinging is likely to hurt his fortunes in Thiruvananthapuram, which has already found its way to international attention by his candidature.
Also see: Shashi Tharoor in trouble over anthem row
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