“Kya Congress ko Tharoor se jalan hai?” BJP targets Rahul Gandhi over diplomatic snub

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 17th May: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday lauded Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s international stature and diplomatic expertise, but raised sharp questions about his position within the Congress Party, following his inclusion in the Centre’s multi-party diplomatic outreach initiative after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya, while acknowledging Tharoor’s “eloquence” and “foreign policy acumen”, criticised the Congress leadership for not nominating him for the delegation, asking if this exclusion stemmed from “insecurity, jealousy or intolerance” within the party. “Why has Rahul Gandhi chosen not to nominate someone so qualified for such a crucial mission?” Malviya asked.

The controversy erupted after Congress communication in-charge Jairam Ramesh confirmed that Tharoor was not on the list of names submitted by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. “It is possible that Mr Rijiju spoke to Mr Kharge and Mr Gandhi after the government had made up its mind,” Ramesh said, dismissing any internal rift and insisting “the party is one.”

Despite the Congress leadership’s reservations, Tharoor has been appointed by the government to lead one of seven all-party delegations travelling to key global capitals to present India’s position following the Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives, and the subsequent military retaliation dubbed Operation Sindoor.

“When national interest is involved, and my services are required, I will not be found wanting. Jai Hind!” Tharoor wrote on X, signalling his commitment to the mission.

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs stated that the chosen MPs represent “articulate voices across the political spectrum” to project India’s “national consensus” against terrorism. Apart from Tharoor, the delegations include BJP leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad and Baijayant Panda, JD(U)’s Sanjay Jha, DMK’s Kanimozhi, NCP-SP’s Supriya Sule, and Shiv Sena’s Shrikant Shinde.

However, Tharoor’s vocal support of the Centre’s cross-border response and hardline policy against Pakistan has reportedly caused unease within the Congress. At a recent Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, sources claim that senior leaders warned against members publicly airing views divergent from the party line, with one reportedly saying Tharoor had “crossed the lakshman rekha.”

Clarifying the party’s position, Ramesh said, “When Mr. Tharoor speaks, it is his view, and it is not the stand of the party.”

The episode has once again reignited debate over internal divisions within the Congress and raised questions about the latitude given to senior leaders like Tharoor in matters of national diplomacy.