A major political controversy has erupted within the Indian National Congress after one of its senior parliamentarians praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, exposing deep internal divisions and drawing sharp reactions from both within the party and from political opponents.
Tharoor's Praise Sparks Internal Congress Firestorm
The controversy began when Congress MP Shashi Tharoor publicly commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks at a newspaper event. This unexpected praise from a prominent opposition leader immediately triggered strong criticism from within his own party, revealing significant ideological tensions.
Congress leaders Supriya Shrinate and Sandeep Dikshit led the charge against Tharoor, questioning his understanding of national issues and labeling his remarks as hypocritical. Shrinate went further by dismissing Modi's speech as "petty" and demanding that the Prime Minister clarify his stance on fair journalism.
BJP Accuses Congress of Authoritarian Tendencies
The Bharatiya Janata Party swiftly capitalized on the internal Congress conflict, launching a strong counterattack against the opposition party. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused Congress of suppressing internal democracy and issuing what he described as a "fatwa" against leaders who prioritize national interest over party politics.
Poonawalla framed the criticism against Tharoor as evidence of Congress's authoritarian tendencies, specifically drawing parallels to what he called "Indira Gandhi's emergency-era" practices. The BJP spokesperson suggested that Tharoor's praise for Modi represented a challenge to Congress party orthodoxy, particularly coming after the party's recent electoral setback in Bihar.
Deepening Rifts Within Congress
The intensity of the internal criticism highlighted the deepening rifts within Congress. Sandeep Dikshit pointedly questioned why Tharoor would remain in Congress if he supported BJP policies, indicating the party's discomfort with any positive recognition of the Prime Minister's actions or statements.
The timing of this controversy is particularly significant, emerging shortly after Congress's poor performance in the Bihar elections. Political analysts suggest that the party's strong reaction to Tharoor's comments reflects broader concerns about ideological consistency and political strategy following electoral defeats.
This incident marks another chapter in the ongoing tension between party loyalty and individual expression within Indian political parties, with the BJP effectively using the situation to portray Congress as intolerant of diverse opinions within its own ranks.
