Drama beyond debate: Shashi Tharoor's thumping, Priyanka's poise, Akhilesh's anger

India Today

29-07-2025

While the nation tuned in to Home Minister Amit Shah's address on Operation Sindoor, what unfolded inside the Lok Sabha was a masterclass in political theatre. Subtle gestures, pointed silences, and charged exchanges spoke louder than the speeches themselves. From Shashi Tharoor's desk-thumping moment to Priyanka Gandhi's studious note-taking and Akhilesh Yadav's calculated assertion of strength, every movement told a deeper story.advertisementBehind the speeches and slogans, Parliament revealed its true character, a stage where postures, protests, and presence told the real story. Here's what really played out on the floor of Parliament:THAROOR'S SUBTLE ENDORSEMENT OF BJPOne of the most striking moments was Shashi Tharoor's unexpected reaction when Amit Shah began speaking. As the Home Minister declared that Pakistan had been given a befitting reply, Tharoor thumped his desk in approval, a rare endorsement from a Congress MP.
Given how the Congress sidelined Tharoor after his earlier diplomatic overtures on Operation Sindoor, his reaction didn't seem entirely out of place. But what made it more curious was that he was seated among his Congress colleagues while applauding a BJP minister.AKHILESH YADAV'S ASSERTIVE ENTRY
Ten minutes into Shah's speech, Akhilesh Yadav made a deliberate entrance, flanked by his MPs — minus Dimple Yadav. Settling into his seat, he began working on his tablet, occasionally jotting down notes.When the Home Minister mentioned Pakistan, Akhilesh sprang to his feet and interjected: 'Pakistan aapka hai?' Shah was quick to retort: 'Aap ki baat hoti hai kya Pakistan ke saath?'The mention of Pakistan triggered a chain reaction. Opposition benches stood up, demanding answers. What stood out was that Akhilesh was the first to rise — a clear display of his growing confidence with 37 MPs behind him.CHAIRS AND SIGNALS: SHEKHAWAT AND SITHARAMANIn a lighter, yet telling moment, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat vacated his front-row seat for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. In politics, they say, everything revolves around the kursi and this quiet gesture did not go unnoticed.PRIYANKA GANDHI: STOIC AND STRATEGISING
Draped in a red saree and wearing glasses, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra sat like a focused student. She quietly took notes throughout Shah's speech, particularly as he detailed Pakistan's alleged involvement in the Pahalgam attack, including claims of Pakistani voter IDs and Pakistan-made chocolates found with the terrorists.advertisementWith Rahul Gandhi absent, Priyanka stood in for the Congress, chanting slogans and countering the government's narrative. At one point, Shah even requested the Speaker, 'Mananiya mahodaya, inko boliye ki ye baith jaye.'When her turn came, she blended emotions, sarcasm and rage to deliver a short but strong speech. She not only questioned security lapses and intelligence failure in Pahalgam attack but also gave a sharp comeback to Amit Shah who accused Sonia Gandhi of shedding tears for terrorists killed in the 2008 Batla House encounter."My mother's tears were brought up. I will respond to this. My mother shed those tears when her husband (Rajiv Gandhi) was martyred by terrorists. If I am standing in this House and speaking about the 26 people killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, it is because I know and can feel their pain," she said.AMIT SHAH VS CHIDAMBARAMAn old rivalry came alive on the floor — Amit Shah vs P Chidambaram. Shah invoked the former UPA government's inaction and questioned: 'You ask us why we don't go to war? I'm a student of history. I know what war does. But why did you not act when you were in power? Why didn't you capture PoK?'advertisementHe scoffed at Chidambaram's past remarks that the terrorists were not Pakistanis. That triggered a rare outburst from Chidambaram's son, Karti, who sprang up and accused the government of surrendering.Congress MPs, including Venugopal, Gogoi, and Tagore, erupted in protest. Amidst it all, Priyanka Gandhi continued observing, quietly noting down her counterpoints.
THE BATLA HOUSE MOMENTShah then turned to Sonia Gandhi, referencing an old interview in which Salman Khurshid reportedly said she cried after watching Batla House encounter footage. Shah thundered: 'Why did Sonia Gandhi cry over the death of terrorists?'Congress benches exploded. Venugopal, Tagore, and Gogoi demanded evidence. Priyanka Gandhi was seen conversing with a colleague, who soon returned and showed her something on his phone — possibly the very interview clip Shah had cited. She watched briefly, then resumed her note-taking.With Rahul absent, it fell on the likes of Priyanka, Shinde, Tagore, and Gogoi to hold the Congress line.advertisementAmit Shah ended his address with a resounding declaration. The BJP benches roared in unison: 'Har Har Mahadev!'- Ends