Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has stirred internal party debate with a pointed remark aimed at senior leader Shashi Tharoor, following the latter’s recent praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at a press conference on June 25, Kharge said the Congress believes in the principle of “country first, party later”, but added, “For some people, it’s Modi first, country later”.
Tharoor’s Article Sparks Controversy
The comment came in response to Tharoor’s op-ed in The Hindu, where he described Modi’s “energy, dynamism and willingness to engage” as a “prime asset for India” on the global stage. The article, written after Tharoor led a five-nation outreach mission for Operation Sindoor, was shared by the Prime Minister’s Office, further fueling speculation about Tharoor’s political leanings.
Congress Distances Itself
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate clarified that Tharoor’s views were personal and not reflective of the party’s official stance.
“It may be his own opinion, it is not the opinion of the Congress party,” she said.
Tharoor Responds with Cryptic Post
In a subtle rebuttal, Tharoor posted an image on X (formerly Twitter) featuring a bird with the caption:
“Don’t ask permission to fly. The wings are yours. And the sky belongs to no one…”
He later clarified during an event in Moscow that his article was not a signal of joining the BJP but a “statement of national unity and interest”.
Growing Rift Within Congress?
This isn’t the first time Tharoor’s remarks have diverged from the party line. His praise for Modi comes at a time when the Congress has been consistently critical of the government’s foreign policy, accusing it of isolating India globally.
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