Congress MP Shashi Tharoor Addresses Party Loyalty Questions at Kerala Event
Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor offered a detailed clarification regarding his position within the party during an appearance at the Kerala Literature Festival on Saturday. Responding to questions from journalists, Tharoor firmly asserted that he has never violated the official party line while participating in parliamentary proceedings. His remarks were widely reported by the news agency PTI and come at a time of heightened political activity in Kerala ahead of state assembly elections.
Tharoor's Stand on Operation Sindoor and National Security
Tharoor explained that his only public disagreement in principle with the party occurred concerning Operation Sindoor, a significant diplomatic and counterterrorism initiative. During this operation, he led India's delegation to several countries across the Americas to present New Delhi's official position on counterterrorism efforts and Pakistan's involvement in terrorist activities. The Congress MP stated that he took a strong and unapologetic stand on this critical issue, emphasizing that national security concerns must always take precedence over political differences.
Elaborating further, Tharoor referenced a newspaper column he wrote following the Pahalgam incident, where he argued that such attacks should not go unpunished and called for a measured kinetic response targeting terrorist camps specifically. He expressed surprise that the government later acted in alignment with his suggestions, highlighting his consistent focus on India's security interests without escalating into prolonged conflict with Pakistan.
Addressing Speculation About Party Differences
Tharoor's clarification comes amid recent media reports highlighting apparent differences between him and the Congress party leadership. Speculation has been fueled by his absence from a key party meeting with the state leadership and the All India Congress Committee high command on Friday, just before the Kerala assembly polls. This absence prompted reactions from some party colleagues, including Sandeep Dixit, who commented that the Thiruvananthapuram MP was no longer relevant to the party.
Additionally, there has been talk about Tharoor being upset over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi not adequately acknowledging him at a recent event in Kochi, as well as alleged repeated attempts by state leaders to sideline him. Tharoor addressed these points indirectly by reaffirming his commitment to the party while stressing that democratic processes naturally involve differing viewpoints.
Emphasizing National Interest Over Political Divisions
In his speech, Tharoor invoked the legacy of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, recalling Nehru's famous question: "Who lives if India dies?" He elaborated that when India's security and its global standing are at stake, the nation must always come first. Tharoor emphasized that while political parties may have legitimate disagreements as part of a healthy democracy, the national interest must prevail over any political or partisan considerations.
Reflecting on broader political dynamics, Tharoor also recalled the period when the BJP came into power in 2014. He mentioned reports that RSS ideologue Govindacharya was involved in drafting a new constitution, contrasting it with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's declaration that the existing constitution was his holy book. This anecdote served to illustrate how political narratives can evolve while underscoring the importance of constitutional values and national unity.
Throughout his address, Tharoor maintained a tone of reasoned defense, positioning himself as a loyal party member who prioritizes India's welfare above all else. His comments aim to quell rumors of internal discord while reinforcing his role as a thoughtful observer and writer on matters of national importance.
