Shashi Tharoor vs Jairam Ramesh: A fresh rift appears to be surfacing within the Congress party after senior leader Shashi Tharoor accepted a government nomination to head a multi-party delegation abroad to articulate India’s stance on terrorism. While Tharoor expressed honour at the invitation, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took a veiled swipe, highlighting a distinction between “being in the Congress and of the Congress.”
“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,” Tharoor said in a post on X, adding, “When national interest is involved, and my services are required, I will not be found wanting. Jai Hind!”
Jairam Ramesh raises questions on party protocol
Speaking to reporters, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh questioned the process behind Tharoor’s inclusion. “Congress mein hona aur Congress ka hona mein zameen-aasmaan ka antar hai’ (There is a vast difference between being in the Congress and being of the Congress),” he said.
Congress denies recommending Tharoor
Jairam Ramesh, the party’s general secretary in charge of communications, clarified that Tharoor was not among the four names officially recommended by the Congress for the delegations.
“Yesterday morning, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju spoke to the Congress President and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. By noon, the INC had submitted the names of four MPs—Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain, and Raja Brar,” Ramesh said.
He hinted that Tharoor’s inclusion bypassed party protocol, stating that such decisions should be made in consultation with the party leadership.
Tharoor defends nomination as ‘national duty’
In response, Tharoor stood firm on his acceptance of the invitation. “I see no politics in it. When the nation needs you, you don’t ask questions,” he said. According to Tharoor, he was invited directly by Rijiju due to his diplomatic background and accepted immediately, viewing it as a call to serve the country, not a political maneuver.
Tharoor said he had informed the party upon receiving the invitation but was unaware of any list submitted by Congress. “You’ll have to ask them,” he said, when questioned about any disapproval from party leadership.
On being asked if the release of the party’s official list was a way to undermine him, Tharoor dismissed the idea. “I cannot be insulted so easily. I know my worth,” he said confidently. He added that unity in times of national crisis is paramount, and every citizen must be ready to serve.
The Centre has named Tharoor to lead one of seven delegations aimed at communicating India’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism to global partners.
BJP hits back, questions Congress motives
Meanwhile, the BJP seized the opportunity to mock the internal discontent within the Congress, suggesting Tharoor’s inclusion might have upset the high command. Kiren Rijiju, in a post on X, wrote: “In moments that matter most, Bharat stands united… A powerful reflection of national unity above politics, beyond differences.” He also shared the official list of leaders, which included Tharoor.