Op Sindoor debate: How Tharoor took centre stage in LS; PM hints at Cong leader being 'sidelined'
NEW DELHI: The debate on
Operation Sindoor
in the Lok Sabha witnessed full-blown arguments, claims, and counterclaims on Tuesday. Amid all the interjections and table-thumping, one member who remained elusive yet in the spotlight was senior Congress MP
Shashi Tharoor
.
Tharoor, who led the Operation Sindoor delegation to the US, wasn't on the
Congress party
's speaker list.
However, the Thiruvananthapuram MP still remained at centre stage, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi indirectly targeted the Congress over Tharoor not being allowed to speak in Parliament.
"Some leaders were stopped from speaking in Lok Sabha, as Congress was pained at India's stand being put up effectively on the world stage," PM Modi said.
After the Parliament was adjourned for the day, when asked about the PM's remark, Tharoor said: "I am not speaking on this topic or making any comments on it."
On Monday, Tharoor avoided media questions on Operation Sindoor, responding with just one word. Maunvrat.
Under Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, India struck key terror camps in Pakistan. Tharoor led the diplomatic delegation to the United States and several countries across the Americas to garner international support.
However, Tharoor's strong backing of the government's stance sparked friction within the Congress party. His public alignment with Operation Sindoor led to internal criticism and pushback from the party high command, further intensified by his cryptic social media posts seen as indirect jabs.
His outspoken endorsement of the Centre's action post-Pahalgam has deepened the rift with party leadership, casting uncertainty on his role in the discussion.
Was Shashi Tharoor offered a chance to speak on Operation Sindoor?
Tharoor reportedly declined the Congress party's offer to speak during the crucial discussion in Lok Sabha, sources told news agency PTI.
According to senior leaders, Tharoor was approached by Congress MPs Gaurav Gogoi and K Suresh, who inquired if he wished to participate in the debate. 'It is a practice that senior leaders are asked whether they are interested in speaking on a major issue,' a Congress functionary told the agency.
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