The Congress on Saturday sought to downplay the controversy over MP Shashi Tharoor’s remarks praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic outreach, with senior leader Jairam Ramesh saying different views are part of the party’s democratic functioning.
Responding to questions about Tharoor’s support for Prime Minister Modi’s statements during his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the G7 summit, Ramesh said the Congress allows its leaders to express their views and discuss issues freely within party forums.
“We have very knowledgeable and experienced leaders in our party who have a lot to say on national and international issues, but we are a democratic party, we allow different views to be expressed, and we have free and full discussions in party forums. I see one of the strengths of the Congress party is that we are a democratic party,” Ramesh told news agency PTI.
Tharoor’s comments are sparking a political controversy
The case began after Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor expressed support for Prime Minister Modi’s statements on the treatment of civilian sailors during conflicts, following his interaction with US President Donald Trump.
Read also | ‘More interested in political points: Shashi Tharoor is against Congress after he supported Modi-Trump meeting at G7
Prime Minister Modi clearly conveyed India’s position during public and private discussions, stressing that civilians working on board merchant ships should not be considered combatants during war, Tharoor said.
“It is important to convey the message that in wartime, civilian sailors on board merchant ships should not be targets of combat. They are not soldiers, and this is the message conveyed by Prime Minister Modi,” PTI quoted him as saying.
The remarks sparked reactions within the Congress, while the BJP used them to target the opposition party, claiming that Tharoor’s comments weakened Congress’s criticism of the government.
Congress mocks Shashi Tharoor
In response, Congress MP Pawan Khera targeted Tharoor and stated that the leader’s “aspirations” for the Prime Minister “went beyond the limits of the material world. He now seems able to hear what Modi has not even said.”
“Tharoor has somehow heard strong assertions, strong denials, and relentless diplomacy that never made it into the official record. The rest of us are probably limited by ordinary human senses,” Khera added.
Thaor responds
In response to Khera’s statements, Shashi Tharoor published a report on the issue of safety of Indian sailors that was raised during the Modi-Trump meeting.
Read also | Shashi Tharoor supports Modi in dealing with Trump, and the BJP mocks Rahul Gandhi: “I hope he does not fire him”
BJP attacks Rahul Gandhi
BJP leaders quickly seized on Tharoor’s remarks and used them to target Rahul Gandhi and the Congress leadership.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla shared a post on X, saying that Tharoor’s remarks were a “birthday gift” for Rahul Gandhi, and it was the day before, that they “scraped down his fake narrative”.
“Yesterday was Rahul Gandhi’s birthday. MP Shashi Tharoor once again breaks his fake narrative as his birthday gift,” Poonawalla wrote.
Read also | Shashi Tharoor says that “the United States’ relations with Pakistan have nothing to do with India,” and supports the establishment of separate bilateral relations
He also highlighted Tharoor’s earlier praise of Modi, describing the Prime Minister as a “visionary”, “dynamic”, “great orator” and “someone who is making a huge impact on India”.
“I hope Rahul Gandhi doesn’t sack him!” Poonawalla added.
In a video statement, the BJP spokesperson intensified the attack, claiming that Tharoor’s comments reflect growing recognition of Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.
