BJP vs Congress showdown over Shashi Tharoor's role in Op Sindoor diplomacy

India Today

17-05-2025

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has found himself at the epicentre of political controversy for being chosen by the PM Modi government to lead a key multi-party delegation abroad in the wake of Operation Sindoor. The nomination of former United Nations diplomat-turned-MP for the role has triggered an intense BJP vs Congress slugfest, with Tharoor caught in the crossfire.advertisementDIPLOMATIC OUTREACH ON OP SINDOORFollowing the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians, the government announced it would send seven multi-party delegations to key global capitals, including UN Security Council member states, to project a united Indian voice against Pakistan-backed terrorism. Each delegation would be led by prominent MPs from across party lines. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, is among those leading one of the delegation.Accepting the role, Tharoor said on X, "I am honoured by the invitation of the government of India to lead an all-party delegation to five key capitals, to present our nation's point of view on recent events. When national interest is involved, and my services are required, I will not be found wanting. Jai Hind!"
But what followed was not across-parties consensus — it was political chaos.BJP VS CONGRESS OVER THAROOR NOMINATIONadvertisementThe BJP wasted no time turning Tharoor's inclusion into a point of attack against the Congress.Amit Malviya, BJP IT cell chief, asked, "No one can deny Shashi Tharoor's eloquence... So why has the Congress — and Rahul Gandhi in particular — not nominated him for the delegations? Is it insecurity? Jealousy? Or simply intolerance of anyone who outshines the 'high command'?"Pradeep Bhandari, another BJP spokesperson, echoed the sentiment: "Why does Rahul Gandhi hate every individual who speaks for India, even in his own party?"The Congress had submitted a separate list of four names to the government: Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Syed Naseer Hussain, and Raja Brar. According to Congress' Jairam Ramesh, the names were sent in good faith after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju requested them during a phone call with Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.Instead, Congress found itself blindsided when a government press release announced Shashi Tharoor — who was not among the four names — as a delegation leader.Jairam Ramesh did not mince words and said, "Congress mein hona aur Congress ka hona mein zameen-aasmaan ka antar hai (There is a world of difference between being in the Congress and of the Congress)."advertisementHe accused the government of "Narad Muni politics," saying, "You cannot include names of MPs without consulting the party. We will not change the four names we have submitted."BJP QUESTIONS CONGRESS PICKSThe BJP further targeted the Congress' nominated names. Malviya termed the inclusion of Syed Naseer Hussain as "shocking", citing past controversies involving his supporters allegedly chanting 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans — claims based on arrests and forensic reports.Malviya also questioned Gaurav Gogoi's alleged '15-day' visit to Pakistan and accused the Congress of sending leaders facing 'grave allegations' to represent India on sensitive international missions.'What message is the Congress trying to send, and whose interests are really being served?' Malviya asked pointedly.GOVERNMENT PLAYS 'UNITY' CARDAmid the storm, the Narendra Modi government has maintained that the delegation selections were carefully curated for their cross-party representation and oratorical prowess.'A powerful reflection of national unity above politics, beyond differences,' Rijiju said, adding that the goal is to project India's 'zero tolerance to terrorism' narrative globally.Each delegation, according to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, will be accompanied by seasoned diplomats and will visit around five countries.Other leaders heading delegations include BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad, Baijayant Panda, JD(U)'s Sanjay Jha, DMK's Kanimozhi, NCP(SP)'s Supriya Sule, and Shiv Sena's Shrikant Shinde.advertisementRIFT WITHIN CONGRESS?Tharoor's growing divergence from the official Congress line on foreign policy may have made him an uneasy fit.At a recent Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, senior leaders reportedly warned that "Tharoor has crossed the Lakshman Rekha." Though Tharoor later gave "constructive suggestions" at the meeting, concerns remain over his solo stance on issues like India-Pakistan ties and his willingness to endorse the government's diplomatic moves.'We are a democratic party and people keep expressing their opinions, but this time, Tharoor has crossed the line,' a senior leader was quoted as saying after the CWC meeting.Shashi Tharoor, for his part, made it clear from the beginning that the views he presented were his own."At this time, at a time of conflict, I spoke as an Indian. I never pretended to speak for anyone else. I am not a spokesperson for the party. I am not the government spokesperson. Whatever I have said, you may agree or disagree with that, blame it on me individually, and that's fine," Tharoor said after reports emerged of him being under Congress fire for remarks on Operation Sindoor."I made it very clear that I am expressing my personal views. It was really a contribution to the national discourse, at a time when it was very important for us to rally around the flag, especially internationally. There was a relative lack of our point of view being heard, particularly in the US, Europe, and the Middle East," the Congress leader said."People are entirely free to reject my point of view. I have received no communication from the party," he added.Tune InMust Watch