New Delhi – Congress Working Committee Member and MP Shashi Tharoor has once again missed a critical Congress meeting, marking the second consecutive absence from major party gatherings. The latest Congress meeting, led by Sonia Gandhi’s strategic group regarding the winter session of Parliament, proceeded without Tharoor’s participation, intensifying speculation about his standing within the party.
Second Consecutive Absence from Congress Meeting
Tharoor’s absence from the Congress meeting focused on parliamentary strategy has raised eyebrows within party circles. This marks the second time in succession that the prominent MP has missed crucial party deliberations, following his earlier absence from a Congress meeting called specifically to discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue.
According to Tharoor’s office, he was in Kerala at the time of the Congress meeting and was traveling back to Delhi with his 90-year-old mother on a later flight. This explanation was provided to address concerns about his non-attendance at the strategic group session convened by Sonia Gandhi.
Other Notable Absences
Tharoor was not the only senior leader who could not attend the Congress meeting on Sunday. General Secretary of the Congress K.C. Venugopal was also unable to reach Delhi for the session. However, Venugopal’s absence was attributed to his active involvement in campaigning for local body elections in Kerala, which provided a clear political justification for missing the Congress meeting.
The contrast between Venugopal’s absence due to electoral duties and Tharoor’s personal travel arrangements has sparked different reactions within party circles regarding their respective commitments to organizational priorities.
Previous Congress Meeting Absence and Controversy
The pattern of Tharoor missing important party gatherings became controversial when he skipped an earlier Congress meeting on the SIR issue, citing ill health as the reason. However, questions emerged when Tharoor attended Prime Minister Modi’s event just one day before the Congress meeting he claimed to be too unwell to attend.
Adding fuel to the controversy, posts praising PM Modi appeared on Tharoor’s Instagram account around the same time he missed the Congress meeting on SIR. This sequence of events triggered sharp criticism from fellow Congress leaders who questioned his commitment to party positions and solidarity.
Internal Party Criticism
Following Tharoor’s comments praising PM Modi and his absence from the Congress meeting, he faced significant backlash from other party leaders. One Congress leader, speaking directly about the controversy, stated: “Shashi Tharoor’s problem is that I don’t think he knows a lot about the country. If, according to you, someone is doing good for the country by going against the Congress’s policies, then you should follow those policies.”
The leader continued with pointed questions: “Why are you in Congress? Is it only because you are an MP? If you really feel that the BJP or PM Modi’s strategies are working better than the party you are in, then you should give an explanation. If you are not giving one, you are a hypocrite.”
Supriya Srinate’s Response
Congress leader Supriya Srinate also weighed in on the controversy, expressing disagreement with Tharoor’s appreciation of PM Modi’s speech. “I didn’t find anything in the speech worth appreciating. I think PM must answer a lot of things. He was at an event of a newspaper. He should tell us what his problem is with fair journalism,” Srinate stated.
She added: “I don’t know how he (Shashi Tharoor) found one [reason to appreciate]. I found it to be a petty speech. He criticised Congress there too. PM thinks of Congress day and night. This is amazing.” Her comments reflected the broader party sentiment regarding Tharoor’s public positions.
Pattern of Discord
Tharoor’s continued absence from major Congress meetings has become a significant topic of discussion within political circles. The relationship between the Congress party and Tharoor has been under scrutiny for some time, particularly following his occasional public inclination towards PM Modi on various occasions.
Also Read: SIR Schedule Extended: Election Commission Revises Electoral Roll Timeline
This pattern became more pronounced post Operation Sindoor, with observers noting Tharoor’s willingness to acknowledge or praise the Prime Minister even when such positions appeared to contradict official Congress party stances. The repeated absences from Congress meetings have only intensified questions about his alignment with party priorities.
Strategic Group Meeting Importance
The Congress meeting that Tharoor missed was particularly significant as it involved Sonia Gandhi’s strategic group planning for the winter session of Parliament. Such sessions are crucial for coordinating opposition strategy, deciding on key issues to raise, and ensuring unified party positions on major legislative and political matters.
Missing such a Congress meeting means losing the opportunity to contribute to crucial strategic decisions and demonstrate solidarity with party leadership during an important parliamentary session. The winter session requires careful coordination among opposition parties, making attendance at planning meetings essential.
Questions About Party Commitment
The repeated pattern of missing Congress meetings while engaging in activities that appear to conflict with party positions has raised fundamental questions about Tharoor’s commitment to the organization. While personal circumstances like traveling with an elderly mother are understandable, the broader pattern of absences combined with public praise for political opponents has created perception challenges.
Party insiders have noted that the relationship between Congress leadership and Tharoor has been strained, with his absences from Congress meetings serving as visible symbols of this underlying tension. Whether this represents a temporary phase or signals deeper organizational challenges remains a subject of intense political speculation.
Conclusion
Shashi Tharoor’s second consecutive absence from a major Congress meeting has amplified concerns about his relationship with party leadership and commitment to organizational discipline. As the winter session of Parliament proceeds and internal party dynamics continue to evolve, Tharoor’s position within the Congress and his future role in party strategy remain questions of considerable political interest. The Congress meeting absences, combined with controversial public statements, have positioned Tharoor at the center of an ongoing debate about party loyalty and ideological consistency.
