JOIN USStay away from work, NCP tells Tharoor
Congress ally Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Wednesday hoped Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development Shashi Tharoor will “dissociate” himself from ministerial responsibilities till the probe into the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar, under mysterious circumstances, is over.
NCP general secretary D P Tripathi termed Pushkar’s death as a “serious matter” and noted that investigations were underway in the incident.
“We think Mr Tharoor has rightly pledged that he will cooperate in the probe. We think since investigations are on Mr Tharoor will himself dissociate with the ministerial responsibilities till the investigation is over,” Tripathi said.
The Congress rejected the demand outright and termed Tharoor, as an inseparable part of the party. In fact, the Congress had given additional responsibility to Tharoor by naming him as one of the party spokespersons.
“There is no question of his resignation,” AICC spokesman Randeep Surjewala said reacting to the NCP demand.
Reports had it that the police may ask Tharoor to join the investigation into the “sudden and unnatural” death of his wife.
Meanwhile Shiv Menon, Sunanda’s 21-year-old son from her previous marriage, said he does not believe that Tharoor was capable of physically harming his mother.
“Anyone who knew my mother would simply know that she was too strong to commit suicide.
“I also do not believe that Shashi was capable of physically harming her, let alone speculation that he could have taken her life,”Shiv said in a signed statement circulated to the media.
The Congress also said that there were no personal allegations against Tharoor.
Surjewala also brushed aside Tripathi’s remarks as “comment of an individual”. “Nothing further needs to be said … even if they are our ally,” he said.