The problem with elitism is that, if you do not have the proper degrees, being intelligent does not beget you respect. It is your pedigree that matters - if not by birth, by way of the schools/colleges you studied in - when it comes to getting respect from Society. THAT, perhaps, is understandable. Most people cannot understand what you say and, so, they peg their judgment to what they can understand: your pedigree.
But when Tiru says this...
Kallaadhaan otpam kazhiyanan draayinum koLLaar arivudai yaar - Tirukkural
Even when the ignorant utter intelligent words, the wise will not take as true knowledge - Loose Translation
Does not one expect the wise to understand what is said? Then why do they judge the person by pedigree? THIS is why we consider it elitist - this idea that when someone has not studied from the high institutions we studied in, he cannot be truly knowledgeable. Carry it a step further and you conclude that is the person cannot speak in your lingo, your jargon, then what he has to say is not worth listening to. AND Tiru supports this sort of elitism?
Let us take a different example. Your friend - an accountant - walks into the hospital where you are admitted for a cardiac problem. He is able to tell exactly what your heart issue is (perhaps, basis, his having gone through it himself). Do you expect the hospital to go with any further advice by him on the course of treatment? Would you? Or would you go with the cardiologist?
Native intelligence only carries you so far. Having extraordinary analytical ability is useless if you lack the context and information that needs to be analysed. Or even the frameworks to be used to analyze the situation. (What co-morbidities should you check for? What should you look for in the blood-work? Do you need to check for nutrient deficiencies? and so on.) Intelligence cannot translate into knowledge. For that you need to put in the hard yards of learning the subject first AND understanding the situation in the light of your conceptual knowledge. Now THAT is what Tiru is talking of and it probably is not elitism.
But, yeah, you can mouth off all you want about politics and economics. After all, most of those who talk the most about it all actually know the least!