Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, speaking at an event in Kochi on ‘Peace, Harmony and National Development,’ reaffirmed his commitment to prioritizing national interest over party loyalty, declaring, “I stand my ground… nation comes first.” His remarks, reported by The Indian Express, NDTV, and The Tribune, among others, came amid growing tensions with the Congress leadership following his public support for the government’s handling of Operation Sindoor, a counterstrike in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Tharoor’s role in leading an all-party delegation to explain India’s stance internationally and his praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic efforts have drawn sharp criticism from within his party, with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge taking a veiled swipe, stating, “For Congress, it is country first, but for some, it’s Modi first.” This article explores Tharoor’s stance, the context of the controversy, and its implications for Indian politics.
Background of the Controversy
Shashi Tharoor, a four-time MP from Thiruvananthapuram and a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), has long been a prominent voice in Indian politics, known for his eloquence and international diplomacy experience. As Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, Tharoor was tasked by the central government to lead a delegation to the United States, Panama, Guyana, Brazil, and Colombia to articulate India’s position on Operation Sindoor, a military response to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack. His acceptance of this role, without prior endorsement from the Congress leadership, and his subsequent praise for Modi’s “energy” and “dynamism” in an article for The Hindu sparked significant backlash within the party.
The Congress leadership, particularly in Kerala, expressed discomfort with Tharoor’s actions, viewing them as a breach of party discipline. Senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan went as far as stating that Tharoor was “no longer considered one of us” and would not be invited to party programs in Thiruvananthapuram until he aligned with the party’s stance. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s remark about “Modi first” was perceived as a direct critique of Tharoor, highlighting the party’s unease with his perceived alignment with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on national security matters. Tharoor, however, remained steadfast, emphasizing that his loyalty lies with India, not any single party, and quoted Jawaharlal Nehru’s iconic line, “Who lives if India dies?” to underscore his position.
Tharoor’s Stance at the Kochi Event
During the Kochi event, Tharoor responded to a high school student’s question about his strained relationship with the Congress leadership. In a video shared on X, he acknowledged the competitive nature of democratic politics but stressed the need for cross-party cooperation on issues of national security. “Politics is, unfortunately or otherwise, in any democracy, about competition,” he said. “When people like me say that we respect our parties, we have certain values and convictions that keep us in our parties, but we need to cooperate with other parties in the interest of national security, sometimes the parties feel that is disloyal to them.”
Tharoor further elaborated, “A lot of people have been very critical of me because of the stand I have taken supporting our armed forces and our government… But I will stand my ground because I believe this is the right thing for the country. When I speak of India, I speak for all Indians, not just those who may like my party.” He emphasized that political parties are “means of making the nation better” and urged all parties to unite on critical issues, citing the presence of 46 parties in Parliament as a reason for multi-partisan unity. Quoting Nehru, he added, “Who lives if India dies? And that’s a question to which there is no answer. India must come first.”
Roots of the Rift
The tensions between Tharoor and the Congress leadership have been brewing for months. As early as June 2025, Tharoor acknowledged “differences of opinion” with some in the party, particularly after his absence from the Nilambur bypoll campaign in Kerala, where he noted, “I do not go where I am not invited.” His decision to lead the Operation Sindoor delegation, despite not being nominated by Congress, was seen as a defiance of party protocol. A Congress member’s remark labeling Tharoor as the BJP’s “super spokesperson” further fueled speculation about his loyalties.
Tharoor’s history of praising Modi’s initiatives, such as the Swachh Bharat campaign in 2015, has also drawn scrutiny. While he clarified that his support for specific government actions does not endorse the BJP’s “core Hindutva agenda,” his repeated willingness to acknowledge the ruling party’s successes has caused friction. In February 2025, Tharoor defended his approach, stating, “When somebody in the government does the right thing, one should acknowledge and praise it, and when they do something badly, one should criticize it.” This pragmatic stance, however, has been interpreted by some Congress leaders as undermining the party’s opposition role.
The controversy intensified when the Prime Minister’s Office shared Tharoor’s Hindu article praising Modi’s diplomacy, prompting speculation about his political future. Posts on X, such as one by @TimesAlgebraIND, highlighted Tharoor’s defiance, quoting him saying, “Anyone who sees working in the national interest as anti-party should question themselves.” Meanwhile, @kapskom criticized the Congress leadership for targeting Tharoor, arguing that a “democratic Congress Party would parade Shashi Tharoor as an asset.”
Implications for Congress and Indian Politics
Tharoor’s stance raises critical questions about the balance between party loyalty and national interest in Indian politics. His call for multi-partisan unity on issues like national security resonates with his long-standing advocacy for inclusive development, as noted in his 16-year political career. However, it challenges the Congress’s strategy as the principal opposition party, which relies on critiquing the BJP to maintain its political relevance. The party’s leadership, particularly Kharge and Kerala leaders like Muraleedharan, views Tharoor’s actions as diluting the Congress’s narrative, especially in the context of Operation Sindoor, where Rahul Gandhi questioned Modi’s claims about the operation’s outcomes.
The rift also highlights internal divisions within the Congress, particularly in Kerala, where Tharoor’s popularity as a potential chief ministerial candidate for the United Democratic Front (UDF) in 2026 has stirred unease. A survey suggesting Tharoor as the UDF’s preferred CM face prompted a cryptic response from him—a salute emoji on X—indicating his reluctance to engage in speculative politics. The Kerala Congress’s dismissal of the survey and Muraleedharan’s exclusion of Tharoor from party events underscore the regional leadership’s efforts to curb his influence.
Nationally, Tharoor’s position aligns with a broader sentiment, as seen in X posts like @MeghUpdates, which praised his patriotism and criticized Congress for opposing national interest. However, others, like @MumbaichaDon, lauded Tharoor’s principled stance while questioning whether the ruling BJP also adheres to cross-party cooperation. This public discourse reflects a growing demand for unity on critical issues, yet it also exposes the challenges of navigating party politics in a polarized landscape.
Economic and Social Context
Tharoor’s emphasis on national security comes at a time when India faces multiple challenges, from climate action requiring $1.5 trillion by 2030 to infrastructure lapses, as seen in Anurag Thakur’s criticism of NHAI in Himachal Pradesh. His role in international diplomacy, particularly on Operation Sindoor, underscores the economic and strategic importance of a united front in global forums. A divided political stance could weaken India’s position, potentially affecting foreign investment and diplomatic credibility. Socially, Tharoor’s appeal to “all Indians” resonates with his vision of pluralism, as articulated on his official website, where he emphasizes enduring differences of caste, creed, and culture for a cohesive India.
The Path Forward
To resolve the tensions, several steps could be considered:
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Internal Dialogue: Tharoor has expressed willingness to discuss differences “behind closed doors” with Congress leaders, suggesting a potential for reconciliation. The party must balance its opposition role with recognizing Tharoor’s contributions to national discourse.
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Clear Party Guidelines: The Congress could establish clearer protocols for MPs engaging in cross-party initiatives, especially on national security, to avoid perceptions of disloyalty.
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Public Engagement: Tharoor’s decision to respond to a student’s question reflects his commitment to public discourse. Leveraging platforms like X to clarify his stance, as he did with his “wings are yours” post, can maintain public trust.
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Focus on National Unity: Tharoor’s call for multi-partisan cooperation could inspire broader political reforms, encouraging parties to unite on issues like defense and economic development, aligning with India’s $11 trillion economic potential by 2070 through climate action.
