Senior Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor has once again stirred the political pot with his candid remarks. He recently clarified that he has never violated the official Congress party line within the walls of Parliament. However, he admitted that 'Operation Sindoor' was one issue where his views diverged from the party's mainstream narrative, and he remains steadfast in his position even today. Tharoor's statement comes at a time when reports of a rift between him and the party leadership in Kerala are frequently making headlines.
The Operation Sindoor Controversy
Shashi Tharoor referred to the tragic incident following the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent people. At that time, Tharoor held a distinct view regarding the. Indian government's response and the actions taken under 'Operation Sindoor'. He stated that he had clearly demanded that such an act shouldn't go unpunished and that India must provide a fitting response. Tharoor emphasized that this was the only instance of public disagreement on principles, for which he isn't prepared to apologize. According to him, his stance on national security has always been unwavering.
'Hit Hard, Hit Wise': The Intellectual Conflict
Explaining his stance in detail, Tharoor cited an old article he wrote for the Indian Express. He mentioned that he had originally titled the piece 'After Pahalgam',. But the editors published it under the headline 'Hit Hard, Hit Wise'. In the article, Tharoor argued that India's response to terrorism shouldn't be merely defensive but aggressive and strategic. This article and his subsequent statements drew criticism from some leaders within the Congress at the time, but Tharoor maintains that his position was in the national interest.
Speculations of Being Ignored by Rahul Gandhi
During a 'Mahapanchayat' event held in Kochi, reports emerged suggesting that Rahul Gandhi ignored Shashi Tharoor on stage, while according to eyewitnesses and media reports, when Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal arrived on stage, they greeted several leaders, but there was no direct interaction with Tharoor. This incident fueled speculations that Tharoor is being sidelined within the party. However, Tharoor downplayed these reports, stating that he would continue to participate actively in party programs.
Party Leadership's Defense and Clarification
As the controversy escalated, AICC General Secretary Deepa Dasmunshi came to Tharoor's defense. She stated that there is no rift between Tharoor and the central leadership. Dasmunshi clarified that Tharoor had already informed the party about his prior commitments, such as the Kerala Literature Festival and his book launch. She emphasized that Tharoor is completely satisfied with the Congress party and the leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge. The party maintains that Tharoor is a vital intellectual asset and his busy schedule shouldn't be interpreted as resentment.
Multi-Party Delegation and Internal Friction
The roots of Tharoor's perceived isolation are also linked to the time he. Was made part of a multi-party delegation in the context of 'Operation Sindoor'. Major leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Jairam Ramesh, or Mallikarjun Kharge weren't included in that delegation, leading to criticism of Tharoor by a section of the party. Tharoor maintains that he was representing the country and there was no violation of the party line. For now, Tharoor's latest statement has reignited the debate between ideological freedom and discipline within the Congress party.