Tharoor-Congress Rift Widens Over Key Parliament Debate

• Shashi Tharoor has declined to lead the Congress party’s arguments during a Parliament debate on the Pahalgam terror attack and ‘Operation Sindoor’.
• Tharoor stated he would not contradict his previously expressed support for ‘Operation Sindoor’ for party messaging.
• This refusal highlights a deepening rift between the senior MP and the Congress leadership, which has now decided he will not speak in the debate.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 28th July: Shashi Tharoor, a prominent Member of Parliament whose relationship with the Congress party has been at a crossroads, has reportedly refused to adhere to the party line during the ongoing Parliament debate concerning the Pahalgam terror attack and ‘Operation Sindoor’. Sources indicated Monday morning that Mr. Tharoor stated he would not contradict his own position “for the sake of party messaging.”

Tharoor had been approached by the office of Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, to lead the Congress’ and the opposition’s arguments against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party during a high-profile, 16-hour debate. This debate covers the Pahalgam attack, India’s military response (Operation Sindoor), and the subsequent armed conflict with Pakistan. However, the request was turned down by Tharoor.

The rift between Tharoor and the Congress has been evident since he led a government delegation to the United States focusing on the Pahalgam attack and India’s anti-terror doctrine, during which he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This divergence re-emerged today as Mr. Tharoor clarified that he could only speak in support of ‘Operation Sindoor’, unwilling to compromise his stance for party messaging. Consequently, the Congress decided that Mr. Tharoor would not participate in the debate. Other senior party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, his deputy Gaurav Gogoi, and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, are slated to speak for the Congress.

Earlier today, Tharoor evaded questions from reporters on this subject. When approached outside Parliament, the Thiruvananthapuram MP walked away, with party colleague Renuka Chowdhury responding on his behalf, stating that he “is constitutionally empowered to speak anywhere…”

The 16-hour debate on the Pahalgam attack and ‘Operation Sindoor’, which was demanded by the opposition, was scheduled to commence at noon today in the Lok Sabha but was adjourned after disruptions in the House. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to address the Lok Sabha later today and the Rajya Sabha tomorrow.

Tharoor’s reluctance to speak against ‘Operation Sindoor’ underscores the internal challenges faced by the Congress. His relationship with the party has been uncertain since 2021, when he joined a group of ‘dissenters’ (the G-23) questioning the Gandhi leadership. This dynamic has seen a sharp downturn in recent months, exacerbated by the Congress’ unease over his positive comments regarding PM Modi and the BJP, especially after his selection as one of the few opposition MPs chosen to brief ‘partner nations’ on India’s counter-terrorism measures.

Tharoor has previously acknowledged differences with the Congress, including a meeting with Rahul Gandhi that reportedly yielded no resolution. In a recent interview last month, he downplayed talk of friction, describing incidents as “differences of opinion… with only some elements of leadership.” When questioned on his relationship with the Congress today, he reiterated his 16 years of loyalty to the party and its ideology. He has also consistently denied any speculation of switching to the BJP, stating such implications are unfounded.