New Delhi:
"Forgive me", said Shashi Tharoor with folded hands.
Strictly speaking the Minister of State for External Affairs was only addressing the aggressive media that was following him for a statement.
But that is really what he is believed to have ended up saying all day. First to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who was reportedly upset at his 100-day stay at a five star hotel, then to Finance Minister Pranab Mukherji who asked him to vacate the luxurious pad and then finally to the Prime Minister, who diffused the tension caused by Tharoor's tweets about "cattle class" and "holy cows".
His boss, Sonia Gandhi has given a clear message: "No more controversy." At the meeting at her residence, she warned him that there should be no more statements from him or the party on what has come to be called Cattlegate.
Sonia reportedly said, "We are worried about you". Tharoor had tweeted that he would travel "cattle class". His party reacted strongly, criticizing the minister for using a term offensive to thousands of Indians who fly economy. Tharoor has since clarified that he meant no offense and that his Tweet was meant to be humorous.
The minister also met the Paranb Mukherji and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday. It was a day of explanations for Tharoor and although he didn't say anything on camera, it's clear that he'd rather put the entire controversy behind him. And sources say that's how the high command wants it as well.
Congress spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed said: Those who are well wishers of the party or the government or Mr Tharoor, will suggest that such things that may hurt people should not be said even jokingly."
The issue blew up while Tharoor was away on an official trip to Liberia and Ghana. His party in Delhi warned that action would be taken against him "at an appropriate time". It took the Prime Minister to help cool tempers. At his iftaar party on Friday, Manmohan Singh clarified that Tharoor meant his Tweet as a joke.
The Congress has told its ministers to fly economy class as part of a new austerity drive to express solidarity with a country struck by drought and price-rise. Tharoor was actually a flashpoint for that drive. Sonia Gandhi was disturbed with media reports that Tharoor, and senior External Affairs Minister, SM Krishna, were both staying at 5-star hotels while their official residences were being renovated. Both ministers were paying for their hotels. However, Gandhi asked for both ministers to move out immediately.
Both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi have tried to lead their government's austerity drive by example. Sonia has flown economy to Bangalore and Mumbai. Rahul Gandhi took the train to Ludhiana. The journey led to security concerns when his train was stoned in Haryana on its way back to Delhi. The party then asked its senior leaders not to compromise on their security.