Beyond Bias: The One Indian Politician Everyone Secretly Wants as the PM
Yuvraj Nanda | Mar 02, 2025, 23:09 IST
Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor
India’s political landscape is full of loud voices and divisive figures, but there’s one leader who quietly commands respect across party lines—Shashi Tharoor. With his intelligence, global recognition, and progressive vision, many Indians secretly wish he were the Prime Minister. But what makes him stand out? And could he ever actually lead the country? Let’s find out.
Let’s be honest—Indian politics is messy. It’s chaotic, polarising, and, most of the time, feels like a never-ending soap opera with plot twists no one asked for. But every now and then, amidst the noise, there emerges a leader who makes people—across party lines, ideologies, and generations—pause and think, “What if?”
That leader is Shashi Tharoor.
Now, before anyone starts throwing political party flags in the air, let’s set one thing straight—this isn’t about Congress, BJP, or any other faction. This is about a politician who, despite the madness of Indian politics, has somehow managed to remain a name that even his critics respect. And in a country where social media arguments over politics escalate faster than a Mumbai traffic jam, that’s saying something.
Picture this: a world leader who actually speaks fluent, articulate English on the global stage. No fumbling, no vague metaphors about raincoats in bathrooms—just crisp, sharp, and persuasive oratory. That’s Tharoor. The man could probably convince a shark to turn vegetarian with his vocabulary alone.
And no, his appeal isn’t just about big words that make people Google “What does" floccinaucinihilipilification’ mean?” It’s about substance. Unlike most politicians who rely on rhetoric without depth, Tharoor is the real deal—a former UN diplomat, an author of multiple books, and someone who actually understands geopolitics instead of just pretending to.
Educated, Experienced, and Actually Capable
Indian politics has long suffered from a leadership crisis where education and experience take a backseat to dynasty and drama. But Tharoor? He has both.
• A PhD from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
• 29 years of experience at the United Nations, rising to the level of Under-Secretary-General.
• Ministerial experience in India, handling portfolios that actually required brainpower.
Compare that to the political landscape today, where we have ministers who struggle to define the very policies they implement. It’s not a stretch to say that Tharoor is one of the few politicians who wouldn’t need a briefing before addressing an international summit. He already knows his stuff.
The Unusual Politician Who Understands Youth & CultureLet’s be real—most Indian politicians are so disconnected from the youth that they still think social media is just for posting “Good Morning” messages with flowers. But Tharoor? The man gets it.
He’s one of the few politicians who understands digital culture, regularly engages with young Indians, and even jokes about his own vocabulary. He’s self-aware, witty, and doesn’t sound like he’s reading a script every time he speaks. That alone is a breath of fresh air in a political world filled with robotic speeches and outdated slogans.
And his cultural awareness? Unmatched. While most leaders are stuck in a cycle of religious and regional divides, Tharoor genuinely embraces India’s diversity—not just as a talking point, but as a way of thinking. He’s written about it, spoken about it, and most importantly, lives by it.
Not Without Flaws, But Still a Cut Above the RestOf course, no politician is perfect. Tharoor has had his share of controversies—whether it’s his Twitter mishaps, the Sunanda Pushkar case, or the occasional elitist undertone in his speeches. But let’s be honest: in a country where politicians are accused of corruption, inciting riots, and blatant nepotism, Tharoor’s “scandals” barely scratch the surface.
His biggest “flaw” seems to be that he’s too intellectual for the average voter—a strange problem in a country that desperately needs more educated leaders. Some call him “too polished,” “too Western,” or “too academic.” But isn’t that exactly what India needs? Someone who brings an intelligent, well-reasoned approach to governance instead of relying on empty rhetoric and brute populism?
Here’s the unfortunate truth: despite being one of India’s best political minds, Tharoor will probably never be Prime Minister. And that’s not because he isn’t capable—it’s because Indian politics doesn’t reward intelligence; it rewards vote banks.
• He doesn’t fit the classic image of an Indian mass leader. He isn’t a dramatic speech-giver, he doesn’t indulge in aggressive religious politics, and he doesn’t have a “strongman” persona.
• His own party has sidelined him, preferring dynasty over merit.
• The larger political landscape is too polarised to allow someone like him to rise to the top.
And that’s the tragedy. In a parallel universe—one where voters prioritise intellect over emotional rhetoric, where political parties value competence over legacy—Shashi Tharoor would be the obvious choice for PM.
But in this universe, he remains the politician that Indians secretly admire, respect, and, in their more honest moments, wish they could vote for without party baggage.
Final Thought: The Leader We Need, But Don’t DeserveShashi Tharoor represents the kind of leadership India could have but probably never will. He’s the leader who could take India’s global reputation to new heights, bring an informed approach to governance, and, for once, make Indian politics look intelligent.
But will he ever get the chance? Probably not. Because in a political system where noise drowns out nuance, Tharoor’s biggest flaw might just be that he makes too much sense.
That leader is Shashi Tharoor.
Shashi Tharoor at an event.
Now, before anyone starts throwing political party flags in the air, let’s set one thing straight—this isn’t about Congress, BJP, or any other faction. This is about a politician who, despite the madness of Indian politics, has somehow managed to remain a name that even his critics respect. And in a country where social media arguments over politics escalate faster than a Mumbai traffic jam, that’s saying something.
The Intellectual Every Indian Wishes We Had in Power
And no, his appeal isn’t just about big words that make people Google “What does" floccinaucinihilipilification’ mean?” It’s about substance. Unlike most politicians who rely on rhetoric without depth, Tharoor is the real deal—a former UN diplomat, an author of multiple books, and someone who actually understands geopolitics instead of just pretending to.
Educated, Experienced, and Actually Capable
Indian politics has long suffered from a leadership crisis where education and experience take a backseat to dynasty and drama. But Tharoor? He has both.
• A PhD from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
• 29 years of experience at the United Nations, rising to the level of Under-Secretary-General.
• Ministerial experience in India, handling portfolios that actually required brainpower.
Compare that to the political landscape today, where we have ministers who struggle to define the very policies they implement. It’s not a stretch to say that Tharoor is one of the few politicians who wouldn’t need a briefing before addressing an international summit. He already knows his stuff.
The Unusual Politician Who Understands Youth & CultureLet’s be real—most Indian politicians are so disconnected from the youth that they still think social media is just for posting “Good Morning” messages with flowers. But Tharoor? The man gets it.
He’s one of the few politicians who understands digital culture, regularly engages with young Indians, and even jokes about his own vocabulary. He’s self-aware, witty, and doesn’t sound like he’s reading a script every time he speaks. That alone is a breath of fresh air in a political world filled with robotic speeches and outdated slogans.
And his cultural awareness? Unmatched. While most leaders are stuck in a cycle of religious and regional divides, Tharoor genuinely embraces India’s diversity—not just as a talking point, but as a way of thinking. He’s written about it, spoken about it, and most importantly, lives by it.
Not Without Flaws, But Still a Cut Above the RestOf course, no politician is perfect. Tharoor has had his share of controversies—whether it’s his Twitter mishaps, the Sunanda Pushkar case, or the occasional elitist undertone in his speeches. But let’s be honest: in a country where politicians are accused of corruption, inciting riots, and blatant nepotism, Tharoor’s “scandals” barely scratch the surface.
His biggest “flaw” seems to be that he’s too intellectual for the average voter—a strange problem in a country that desperately needs more educated leaders. Some call him “too polished,” “too Western,” or “too academic.” But isn’t that exactly what India needs? Someone who brings an intelligent, well-reasoned approach to governance instead of relying on empty rhetoric and brute populism?
Why the Odds of Him Becoming the PM are Low?
MP Shashi Tharoor
Here’s the unfortunate truth: despite being one of India’s best political minds, Tharoor will probably never be Prime Minister. And that’s not because he isn’t capable—it’s because Indian politics doesn’t reward intelligence; it rewards vote banks.
• He doesn’t fit the classic image of an Indian mass leader. He isn’t a dramatic speech-giver, he doesn’t indulge in aggressive religious politics, and he doesn’t have a “strongman” persona.
• His own party has sidelined him, preferring dynasty over merit.
• The larger political landscape is too polarised to allow someone like him to rise to the top.
And that’s the tragedy. In a parallel universe—one where voters prioritise intellect over emotional rhetoric, where political parties value competence over legacy—Shashi Tharoor would be the obvious choice for PM.
But in this universe, he remains the politician that Indians secretly admire, respect, and, in their more honest moments, wish they could vote for without party baggage.
Final Thought: The Leader We Need, But Don’t DeserveShashi Tharoor represents the kind of leadership India could have but probably never will. He’s the leader who could take India’s global reputation to new heights, bring an informed approach to governance, and, for once, make Indian politics look intelligent.
But will he ever get the chance? Probably not. Because in a political system where noise drowns out nuance, Tharoor’s biggest flaw might just be that he makes too much sense.