NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a sharp attack on the Congress party on Friday, capitalizing on the visible internal discord within the opposition ranks. This criticism came in the wake of remarks by a senior Congress leader that indirectly labeled Shashi Tharoor as "irrelevant," further fueling speculation about deepening fissures within the party.
BJP Spokesperson Highlights Congress Infighting
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took to social media platform X to mock the Congress, listing a series of internal conflicts that have plagued the party in recent times. "After Rahul vs Priyanka Congress, DKS Vs Siddaramiah Congress, Gehlot vs Pilot Congress, now Tharoor vs Kerala Congress," Poonawalla wrote in his post.
He further added, "Maha Yuddh in Maha Panchayat? Guess Congress party needs its own 'Board of Peace'. But one thing is clear: whoever keeps country above family gets sidelined in congress - I’m an example of this." This pointed comment underscores the BJP's strategy to portray the Congress as a party embroiled in perpetual internal strife, unable to prioritize national interests.
Tharoor's Absence and Dikshit's Remarks
Earlier in the day, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit commented on why Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor skipped a crucial Kerala party meeting. "All the strong and senior leaders from Kerala are attending. Those who are relevant to the Congress are coming," Dikshit stated, a remark widely interpreted as a veiled dig at Tharoor's standing within the party.
Tharoor, who is said to be displeased that Rahul Gandhi did not meet him during a recent visit to Kochi, opted to attend the Kerala Literature Festival instead of the party gathering. This decision has only intensified discussions about his growing dissatisfaction with his role and the party's leadership dynamics.
Sequence of Developments Point to Strain
Observers note that speculation about a rift between Tharoor and the Congress has been building due to a sequence of developments. Tensions appeared to escalate after Tharoor skipped a key party meeting on the eve of last year’s Winter Session of Parliament, a move widely seen as indicative of underlying strain.
Moreover, Tharoor has openly questioned the space he occupies within the organisation and the expectations the party has of him. He has also spoken publicly about what he described as a leadership vacuum in the Kerala Congress and later met Rahul Gandhi to seek clarity on his own position within the party structure.
These interventions, rather than resolving matters, have added to the speculation about an uneasy relationship, highlighting the ongoing challenges the Congress faces in managing internal dissent and maintaining unity among its senior leaders.
