'Wrote on startup ecosystem, not on Kerala's overall economy,' Tharoor mellows down on his stance

Thiruvananthapuram: Amid criticism over his remarks on Kerala's industrial growth, Shashi Tharoor clarified that he had only spoken about the startup ecosystem and not the state's overall economy. He reiterated that for the past 16 years, he has been advocating for a conducive atmosphere for startups, and his recent article was prompted by his surprise at Kerala’s recognition in a global startup ecosystem report.

Tharoor acknowledged that the initiative for Kerala's startup sector was first takenup by former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in 2014 with the launch of Startup Village and Startup Mission, and the present government has contributed to its growth. He maintained that if something good is done, especially in an area he had long supported, it should be acknowledged.

Clarifying his position, Tharoor emphasised that his article did not discuss Kerala’s overall economy, but solely focused on startups. "I have repeatedly said that Kerala’s economy is struggling and must be improved. Unemployment is at an all-time high, and Kerala lags behind even Jammu and Kashmir in that regard. I have also raised concerns about the agricultural sector, including cashew, rubber, and pineapple, as well as the fact that nearly 80% of public sector units are running at a loss," he stated.

Refuting claims that he gave full credit to the government, Tharoor pointed out that he never claimed the administration was flawless across all sectors. "I wrote about just one issue, backed by facts and figures. If anyone presents counterarguments with data, I am open to discussion. I never speak without a factual basis, nor have I ever given this government a perfect score," he asserted.

Tharoor also clarified that his article was written as a representative of the Malayali people and not from a political standpoint. "If the ruling party finds itself in opposition tomorrow, they should still support the continuity of progress in this sector. This is not about the CPM or politics," he said.

Further softening his stance, Tharoor expressed willingness to step down from the Congress Working Committee if there were demands for his exit. "I have only spoken about development, not a word about politics," he concluded.