Amid Global Outreach Role, Tharoor Draws Fire From Congress For Praising Modi Government’s Fight Against Terrorism

The growing rift between the Congress leadership and Shashi Tharoor was at display again as he hit back at party colleagues criticising his remarks lauding the Modi government’s fight against terrorism.

“Critics and trolls,” he said, are welcome to distort his views and that he has "better things to do", NDTV reported.

Responding swiftly, Congress leader Pawan Khera posted a quote from Tharoor’s own book accusing the BJP of “shameless exploitation” of the 2016 surgical strikes as an "election tool".

Tharoor is currently leading an all-party delegation abroad under the Centre's global outreach in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

After engagements in the US and Panama, the team is now headed to Bogota, Colombia.

"After a long and successful day in Panama, i have to wind up at midnightvhere with departure for Bogota, Colombia in six hours, so I don’t really have time for this — but anyway: For those zealots fulminating about my supposed ignorance of Indian valour across the LoC: in tge past 1. I was clearly and explicitly speaking only about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars; & 2. My remarks were preceded by a reference to the several attacks that have taken place in recent years alone, during which previous Indian responses were both restrained and constrained by our responsible respect for the LoC and the IB (sic)," Tharoor said in a post on X.

"But as usual, critics and trolls are welcome to distort my views and words as they see fit. I genuinely have better things to do. Goodnight," he added.

Senior leaders have earlier said the four-time MP's remarks do not reflect Congress's stand and there have been murmurs about Tharoor "crossing the line".

Speaking in Panama City on Tuesday, Tharoor stressed that recent years have marked a shift — “terrorists now realise they will pay a price,” he said, praising India’s assertive responses including the Uri and Balakot strikes.

Lashing out at Tharoor, Congress leader Udit Raj accused the Thiruvananthapuram MP of acting like “the super spokesperson of BJP”.

Soon after, Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh escalated the party’s pushback, making it clear that the Congress high command has taken note.

Tharoor’s journey in the Congress has seen repeated tensions — from his 2014 removal as spokesperson after praising PM Modi, to his 2022 presidential bid against the Gandhi-backed Mallikarjun Kharge.

Post-Operation Sindoor, Tharoor’s global engagements garnered attention and some praise, but his increasing divergence from party lines remains a sore point with Congress leadership.

Despite initially supporting the Centre after the Pahalgam terror attack, Congress has now shifted tone — seeking clarity on the ceasefire and the role of the United States in recent developments.

At a recent top-level meeting, Congress leadership reportedly sent Tharoor a firm message: the party is democratic, but “this time, he crossed the Lakshman Rekha", NDTV reported citing a source.

Tharoor clarified he spoke in his personal capacity and is not a party spokesperson, distancing his comments from official Congress positions.

Amid the controversy, the Centre appointed Tharoor to head one of seven international delegations.

Congress later said it hadn’t recommended his name but Tharoor said that he would fulfill his duty regardless.

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