Shashi Tharoor, the Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, has ignited speculation about internal discord within the party following his recent remarks and social media activity. On Saturday, Tharoor shared a quote from poet Thomas Gray on X (formerly Twitter): “Where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise.”
This post comes amid reports of a rift between Tharoor and the Congress leadership, allegedly triggered by his praise for Kerala’s entrepreneurial growth under the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government. Tharoor clarified that his comments were based on the 2024 Global Startup Ecosystem Report, emphasising the need to acknowledge positive developments regardless of political affiliations.
Despite the controversy, the Congress high command has decided against disciplinary action, wary of potential backlash due to Tharoor’s public support. However, internal dissatisfaction persists, with signals indicating no further discussions with Tharoor regarding his recent remarks.
Tharoor’s praise for Prime Minister Modi: In a move that has further stirred the political waters, Tharoor recently commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic efforts during his visit to the United States. Following Modi’s meeting with US President Donald Trump, Tharoor described the visit as ‘very encouraging,’ highlighting key agreements on trade, defence, and immigration. He noted that the decision to engage in trade and tariff negotiations over the next nine months was preferable to the immediate imposition of tariffs, which could have adversely affected Indian exports. Tharoor stated, “It’s far better than Washington hastily and unilaterally imposing tariffs on us, which could have hurt our exports.”
Tharoor also defended his praise for Modi, asserting that his comments were made with India’s national interests in mind. He emphasised the importance of recognising positive outcomes, regardless of party lines, stating, “We cannot always speak only in terms of party interest.”
These remarks have not been universally welcomed within the Congress party. Some party members have expressed discomfort, suggesting that Tharoor’s views are personal and do not reflect the party’s official stance. This internal friction underscores the broader challenges the Congress faces in maintaining a unified front amidst diverse opinions within its ranks.
Reports suggest that Tharoor is unhappy as his role in the Congress party remains unclear. It is believed that he also feels sidelined by the party’s top brass, particularly the Gandhi family. Last week, after his article in a Kerala newspaper praised the state government, Tharoor met with Rahul Gandhi. According to him, it was a very good conversation.
However, it will be interesting to see what he decides next, especially if the Congress party continues to ignore his grievances and fails to utilise his services effectively. For now, it is clear that all is not well between Tharoor and the grand old party.
Images curtesy: Dr. Shashi Tharoor X account and wesbite.
