Thiruvananthapuram: A fresh political tempest has gripped the Congress party following senior leader Shashi Tharoor’s recent remarks hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “charismatic leader.” The comments, made during a seminar in London on ‘India 2047’, have triggered widespread discontent among party ranks, once again placing Tharoor at the centre of an ideological crossfire.
Addressing the event, Tharoor not only lauded the Modi government’s vision for a developed India by the centenary of independence but also endorsed the nation's shift from Nehruvian socialism to liberalization and globalization as a “welcome transformation.” He further acknowledged the growing sense of nationalism under the BJP regime, a statement seen by many in the Congress as lending indirect legitimacy to the ruling party's ideological framework.
This is not the first time Tharoor has stirred controversy within his party. He previously faced internal criticism for his candid writings on the Emergency, where he appeared to question the roles of Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi, prompting dismay among Congress traditionalists.
“Why Stay in a Party You Disagree With?” Asks Muraleedharan?
The backlash from Congress leaders has been swift and sharp. Senior congress leader K. Muraleedharan minced no words, stating that the party was “no longer interested in Tharoor,” accusing him of routinely praising both Narendra Modi and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. “If you are feeling suffocated, you should leave the party,” he said pointedly, urging Tharoor to either conform to the party’s collective discipline or step away to avoid further damage to its unity.
AICC Mulling Disciplinary Action:
While the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has maintained a public silence so far, party insiders suggest that Tharoor’s latest remarks have not gone unnoticed at the highest levels. Disciplinary action may be under consideration. Congress MP Manickam Tagore issued a veiled rebuke, likening Tharoor to a “parrot repeating BJP’s narrative.”
Meanwhile, BJP leaders have enthusiastically welcomed Tharoor’s statements, using them to reinforce their claim that the Modi government's policies have found admirers even across the aisle.
Political Crossroads Ahead .:
The incident has reignited the ongoing debate over the ideological clarity and internal cohesion of the Congress. Tharoor, a noted intellectual with global appeal, often walks a fine line between candid critique and party loyalty—a balancing act that has made him both a celebrated thinker and a divisive figure within his own camp.
As the Congress grapples with a series of electoral challenges and identity crises, the coming days will reveal whether Tharoor’s latest remarks mark the beginning of an open rift—or yet another storm that will pass in silence.
