Poonam Sharma
Tharoor, a Congress MP, who has once again created a stir in the Congress party and dealt a severe blow to Rahul Gandhi. During a recent event, Shashi Tharoor praised Prime Minister Modi, who is considered the biggest rival of Rahul Gandhi, in a way that has left Congress members stunned. Tharoor said that India is in a position now to usher peace between Russia and Ukraine. He also said that India possesses a Prime Minister who can get both Zelensky and Putin together. Tharoor acknowledged that his previous criticism of India’s daughter (in reference to a contentious comment) was incorrect, and he has now come to terms with the fact that he made an error. He added that he still suffers from the mark of his previous statement and is attempting to wipe his face. He admitted that, during the parliamentary discussions, he alone, in 2000, had criticized the infringement of global rules and norms.
Tharoor apologized for his previous statements and publicly credited PM Modi with his diplomatic successes. He has also acknowledged that PM Modi is leading the country in foreign policy in a manner that India has never seen before. His praise of Modi has left Congress members uneasy, especially considering the party’s criticism of Modi’s policies over the last three years. Tharoor’s statement seems to undermine the media campaign and the social media attacks on PM Modi that the Congress party had been making. Most interesting is the fact that Shashi Tharoor, a foreign policy expert and veteran diplomat, has not hesitated to express admiration for Modi’s style of governance, particularly in foreign affairs.
Tharoor, a former Minister of State for External Affairs, was once regarded as a potential leader who could upset Modi’s foreign policy line. But his recent utterances indicate that he is altering his viewpoint and moving closer towards Modi’s policies. Tharoor’s remarks have left many in Congress wondering if he has decided to join the BJP, given the way he has been praising Modi’s leadership. His statements have come at a time when Congress, especially its Kerala faction, is facing internal turmoil. In fact, after Tharoor challenged Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge in party elections, he seems to have become a target within the party, particularly within the Gandhi family.
Tharoor’s detractors say that his foreign policy expertise qualifies him as a national leader with a vision that may be good for the nation. But his recent statements indicate that he is going out of the way to distance himself from Congress leadership. His appreciation of PM Modi, especially on matters such as Russia-Ukraine, has left many in doubt about his future in Congress.
There are those who think that the change of position by Tharoor could encourage him to jump ship and join the BJP, and if so, BJP might receive additional strength in Kerala. But if Congress expels Tharoor, it could work against it and consolidate his political standing outside Congress. Tharoor’s utterances are in the news these days as Congress is finding it difficult to face the challenges before the party, especially in light of its own internal conflicts and ideological disputes.
In the past, Tharoor was one of the biggest critics of Modi’s foreign policy, especially when it came to India’s stance on Russia’s actions in Ukraine. He had openly condemned India’s oil purchases from Russia and criticized India’s position on the Ukraine crisis. Now, after three years, he seems to have reconsidered his position and is apologizing for his earlier remarks while praising Modi’s approach.
This change in Tharoor’s position has generated a controversy in Congress, with many calling for senior leaders such as Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to step forward and endorse Tharoor’s acknowledgment of Modi’s foreign policy. This may be a turning point for the Congress party as it attempts to reevaluate its foreign policy strategy.
The questions now are: Will Congress accept Tharoor’s change of heart? Will his shift reflect a wider rift in the party? And how will Congress handle the widening divide between its old guard leaders?
The post Shashi Tharoor Praises Modi, Sparks Storm Within Congress appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates.
