Opposition not consulted in nominating Tharoor: Swamy

New Delhi, June 16 (UNI) Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy today accused the government of not consulting the Opposition parties in nominating senior UN official Shashi Tharoor for the post of UN Secretary General, and said the decision appeared to be prompted by a desire of the Congress to reward Mr Tharoor for some obscure reasons.

''India is now an emerging global power and a strong candidate for a permanent seat with a veto on the UN Security Council. Hence it will be wholly inappropriate and inconsistent with India's global importance to have an Indian as the Secretary General,'' Dr Swamy said in a statement.

''The decision to back Mr Tharoor appears to be prompted by a desire of the Congress Party to reward him for some obscure reasons that have nothing to do with our national interests.'' Dr Swamy said Mr Tharoor, as Secretary General, would have to bend backwards to prove that he was not favouring India, and hence he would be of no use to the nation.

''It is better India earns the Asian goodwill by instead proposing a name from a smaller Asian country for the post.'' UNI YJ MSJ RK1912