“I struggle with English. Tharoor’s language is quite eloquent, which is why we’ve included him as a member of the Congress Working Committee,” Kharge remarked when asked about Tharoor’s article discussing Operation Sindoor outreach, in which he expressed admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“However, I must emphasize that the opposition collectively is aligned with the Army during Operation Sindoor. We (the Congress) assert that the nation comes first and we will collaborate with the government. We have said ‘country first, party later.’ In contrast, some claim ‘Modi first, country later.’ What can we do in that situation?” he added.
Shortly after Kharge’s comments, Tharoor issued a cryptic message on X featuring an image of a bird accompanied by the caption – “Don’t ask permission to fly. The wings are yours. And the sky belongs to no one…” In an article published in The Hindu on Monday, Tharoor noted that Modi’s energy, dynamism, and willingness to engage are a “prime asset” for India on the international stage and warrant more support.
His statements were perceived as likely to displease his Congress colleagues and exacerbate tensions with its leadership.
In his article, Tharoor referred to the diplomatic efforts following Operation Sindoor as a demonstration of national resolve and effective diplomacy.
The Prime Minister’s Office shared Tharoor’s article on X.
At a Moscow event on Tuesday, Tharoor clarified that his article regarding Operation Sindoor’s global outreach was not an indication of his “jumping ship” to join Prime Minister Modi’s party, but rather an expression of national unity and the importance of standing up for India.
On the same day, the Congress distanced itself from the statements made by party MP Tharoor in the article.
When questioned about Tharoor’s views, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate remarked, “It may be his personal opinion, but it does not reflect the stance of the Congress party. Our perspective is based on evidence and facts.” Tharoor’s commendation of the prime minister occurs at a time when the Congress has been fiercely criticizing the Modi administration’s foreign policy, alleging that Indian diplomacy has been “shattered” and the country now stands “isolated” globally.
In light of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, Tharoor has been making remarks concerning the India-Pakistan conflict and the diplomatic outreach that diverge from the Congress’s official position.
The Congress has been pressing the government for clarification regarding US President Donald Trump’s claims about mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
Tharoor has frequently faced backlash from his party and has been the target of jibes from Congress leaders for his viewpoints.
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