India, March 8 -- What makes the apparent rift between Shashi Tharoor and the Congress leadership interesting is what it reveals about both sides. They are very different to each other though they haven't accepted and admitted it. Perhaps that's the core of the problem.

Shashi is not a conventional politician. He does not operate in cabals and coteries. Instead, he relies on his talent and skills. This means he is open, ambitious and in search of recognition. Understandably, he wants to attract attention to himself. It is his way of moving forward. And he has been very successful at it. His fan following on Twitter and his recognisability are testimony to that.

The Congress leadership, at least since the time of Indira Gandhi, has flour...