Self-respect is expensive in politics, truth seen as crime: Anand Sharma

Anand Sharma said, “I will not say that I am disappointed, but I will say one thing self-respect is very expensive in politics. One has to pay the price for it, and speaking the truth is now considered a crime.”

Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Anand Sharma on Thursday said that “self-respect is very expensive in politics” and that “speaking the truth is now considered a crime,” after the party nominated Kangra district Congress Committee president Anurag Sharma as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat from Himachal Pradesh.

Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Anand Sharma on Thursday said that “self-respect is very expensive in politics” and that “speaking the truth is now considered a crime,” after the party nominated Kangra district Congress Committee president Anurag Sharma as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat from Himachal Pradesh. (HT File)

Speaking to the media in Shimla before leaving for Delhi, Anand Sharma said, “I will not say that I am disappointed, but I will say one thing self-respect is very expensive in politics. One has to pay the price for it, and speaking the truth is now considered a crime.”

“Why I was not sent and why there was a last-minute withdrawal the answer can only be given by those who take the decisions and on whose advice the decisions are taken. I am not in a position to comment on it,” he said.

“I am not afraid of what has happened. Those who take the decisions have the authority — the supreme command. Perhaps in their wisdom they have taken the call. They can explain the merits and demerits. I cannot explain whatever happened,” he added.