New Delhi – Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has ignited a firestorm within his own party after publicly lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s recent address at the Ramnath Goenka Lecture. The incident where Tharoor praises Modi has triggered sharp reactions from Congress colleagues who have questioned his alignment with party ideology and even suggested he should join the Bharatiya Janata Party instead.
Controversial Social Media Post Sparks Outrage
The controversy erupted on Tuesday when Tharoor praises Modi in a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter), describing the Prime Minister’s lecture as serving both as an economic outlook and a cultural call to action. The Thiruvananthapuram MP mentioned he was glad to have attended the event despite battling a bad cold and cough, expressing appreciation for Modi’s vision for India’s progress.
This latest instance where Tharoor praises Modi is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern where the veteran Congress politician has frequently “spoken for himself” rather than adhering to the party line. His independent stance has repeatedly caused discomfort within the Congress leadership and rank-and-file members.
Sandeep Dikshit’s Scathing Attack
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit launched a particularly harsh attack on Wednesday in response to the situation where Tharoor praises Modi. Dikshit questioned Tharoor’s continued association with the Congress party, suggesting that the MP probably “does not know a lot about the country.”
“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… Why are you in Congress? Is it only because you are an MP?” Dikshit stated, directly challenging Tharoor’s party loyalty.
The former MP went further, stating that if Tharoor genuinely feels that the BJP or PM Modi’s strategies are working better than the party he represents, then he should provide an explanation to Congress members and supporters. Dikshit concluded his criticism by calling Tharoor a “hypocrite” for not offering such an explanation while continuing to remain in the Congress.
Supriya Shrinate Questions Praise-Worthiness
Another prominent Congress voice, Supriya Shrinate, also weighed in on the controversy where Tharoor praises Modi. Shrinate stated on Wednesday that she found nothing “praiseworthy” in Prime Minister Modi’s address at the recent event, directly contradicting Tharoor’s enthusiastic assessment.
Shrinate’s remarks highlighted the stark difference in perspective between Tharoor and other Congress leaders regarding the Prime Minister’s public addresses and policy positions. Her statement underscored the party’s collective disapproval of Tharoor’s independent appreciation of the BJP leader’s rhetoric.
Details of Tharoor’s Praise for Modi’s Speech
In the controversial post where Tharoor praises Modi, the Congress MP highlighted several aspects of the Prime Minister’s Ramnath Goenka Lecture that he found compelling. Tharoor noted that PM Modi emphasized India is no longer just an “emerging market” but an “emerging model” for the world, highlighting the nation’s economic resilience.
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According to Tharoor’s account, Modi addressed criticism about being in “election mode” all the time by clarifying he was actually in “emotional mode” to redress the problems of the people. This human touch in Modi’s presentation apparently resonated with the Congress MP.
Cultural Heritage and National Pride
A significant portion of Tharoor’s post where Tharoor praises Modi focused on the Prime Minister’s discussion of India’s cultural heritage. Modi dedicated substantial time to addressing what he termed Macaulay’s 200-year legacy of “slave mentality,” appealing for a 10-year national mission to restore pride in India’s heritage, languages, and knowledge systems.
Tharoor, while appreciating this cultural nationalism, added his own perspective, wishing that Modi had also acknowledged how Ramnath Goenka had used English to raise a voice for Indian nationalism. This nuanced addition showed Tharoor attempting to balance his praise with constructive commentary.
Pattern of Independent Stance
The incident where Tharoor praises Modi came close on the heels of another controversial post that had irked Congress leadership. Recently, Tharoor had defended BJP veteran LK Advani over criticism of the Rath Yatra of the 1990s, which had triggered the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. The Congress party had promptly distanced itself from those remarks as well.
This pattern suggests that Tharoor’s independent thinking and willingness to appreciate opposition leaders’ positions has become a recurring source of tension within the Congress party. His refusal to conform to strict party lines on all issues sets him apart from most Congress MPs who maintain disciplined public messaging.
Questions About Party Loyalty
The repeated instances where Tharoor praises Modi or other BJP leaders have raised fundamental questions about party loyalty and discipline within the Congress. Critics within the party argue that public appreciation of the Prime Minister undermines the opposition’s efforts to hold the government accountable and present an alternative vision to voters.
Dikshit’s pointed question—”Why are you in Congress?”—encapsulates the frustration many party members feel about Tharoor’s approach. They argue that while internal debate is healthy, public praise of political opponents, especially the Prime Minister, sends mixed signals to party workers and supporters who are working to challenge the BJP’s dominance.
Tharoor’s History of Independent Thinking
Shashi Tharoor has built a reputation over his political career as an independent thinker who often expresses views that don’t align perfectly with party orthodoxy. As a former diplomat and acclaimed author, Tharoor brings an intellectual approach to politics that sometimes clashes with the partisan nature of Indian electoral politics.
The situation where Tharoor praises Modi reflects his consistent tendency to evaluate ideas and statements on their merits rather than automatically opposing everything from the ruling party. This intellectual honesty, while appreciated by some observers, has made him a controversial figure within his own party.
Implications for Congress Unity
The strong reaction to the incident where Tharoor praises Modi highlights broader challenges facing the Congress party regarding internal discipline and messaging. As the party struggles to present a united front against the BJP, dissenting voices like Tharoor’s complicate efforts to maintain a coherent opposition narrative.
The criticism Tharoor faces from colleagues like Dikshit and Shrinate suggests that the Congress leadership may need to address the question of how much ideological flexibility is acceptable for party members, especially those holding elected positions. The “hypocrite” accusation indicates that tolerance for independent voices may be wearing thin.
Political Future and Party Dynamics
As the controversy where Tharoor praises Modi continues to generate discussion, questions arise about the Thiruvananthapuram MP’s future within the Congress party. While he remains a prominent figure with significant public following, his frequent departures from party positions create ongoing tension with leadership and colleagues.
Whether this latest incident will lead to any formal action from the party remains to be seen. However, it has certainly reignited debates about party discipline, the space for independent thinking in Indian politics, and whether Congress can accommodate diverse viewpoints while maintaining effective opposition to the BJP.
The episode serves as a reminder that in India’s highly polarized political environment, even measured appreciation of an opponent’s statements can trigger significant backlash and raise questions about political allegiances.
