Congress Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor on Thursday declared that he had defended the BJP-ruled central government regarding Operation Sindoor as an Indian, and was not his party’s spokesperson following reports which indicated that high-ranking party officials felt that he had gone beyond a “Lakshman Rekha.”
Spoke as an Indian, Not as Party Representative: Shashi Tharoor
Shashi Tharoor said, “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.”
Emphasis on National Unity During Global Discourse
Shashi Tharoor said he was articulating his own opinion at a moment when it was necessary for everyone to rally together as Indians, particularly at the international level.
He said, “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.”
When asked about reports that senior party leaders were disappointed with his remarks, he said, “People are entirely free to reject my point of view. I have received no communication from the party; all I am seeing is media reports.”
CWC Cautions Against Crossing the Party Line
The Congress Working Committee meeting on Wednesday had cautioned members to follow the party line and not express individual opinions.
“We are a democratic party and people keep expressing their opinions, but this time, Shashi Tharoor has crossed the lakshman rekha,” a senior party leader was quoted saying as per news agency PTI.
Congress Separates from Shashi Tharoor Over Trump Criticism Amid BJP Tensions
Congress’s communications secretary Jairam Ramesh also responded to Tharoor’s statement in a press briefing and stated, “That is his opinion. Whatever Mr. Tharoor says, it is his opinion and it is not the party stand.”
Shashi Tharoor criticized US President Donald Trump for his statements. Trump had taken credit for an India-Pakistan ceasefire. This came in contrast to the Congress party’s stance. The party has been criticizing Prime Minister Modi for Trump’s remarks.