Congress Treads Cautiously Amid Internal Discord Over Shashi Tharoor’s Praise for PM Modi

 New Delhi, June 25 — Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday signaled that the party is unlikely to initiate disciplinary proceedings against senior MP Shashi Tharoor, whose recent comments praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi have sparked unease within party ranks.

Addressing a press conference at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters, Kharge took a measured stance while subtly critiquing Tharoor’s remarks. Without naming the Thiruvananthapuram MP directly, Kharge underscored the party's unwavering commitment to national interest, remarking:
“For us, the nation comes first. But there are some who seem to believe ‘Modi first, and nation second.’ What can we say about that?”

Referring to Tharoor’s articulate public profile, Kharge quipped, “I don’t know how to read English; he has a very good command over the language. That’s why we made him a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC).” He emphasized that while the broader opposition stood united in support of India’s armed forces during Operation Sindoor, diverging opinions within the party would not distract from its national priorities.

Pressed further on whether the Congress leadership would act against Tharoor, Kharge declined to comment on any disciplinary measures.
“People write what they feel. We don’t want to get into that. We are working toward unity for the nation and will continue to fight for it,” he said, noting that the CWC comprises a diversity of voices — 34 members and 30 special invitees — each entitled to their views. “If someone is concerned about something else, you should ask him,” Kharge added.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal echoed a similar sentiment, suggesting that the party is capable of accommodating internal differences.
“You can interpret it any way you want. What do you expect — that we should throw someone out of the party? A party like Congress has members with different opinions. That is our strength. But once a decision is taken, everyone must abide by it,” he said.

Tharoor has faced criticism from several party colleagues, including Pawan Khera and Udit Raj, following the Modi government’s decision to include him in a diplomatic delegation under the Operation Sindoor outreach initiative. His public endorsement of the India-Pakistan ceasefire, reportedly brokered with U.S. mediation, also drew fire for being at odds with the Congress’s official stance.

Earlier this week, Tharoor penned an op-ed in The Hindu titled “Lessons from Operation Sindoor’s Global Outreach,” in which he lauded the Prime Minister’s leadership on the international stage.
“PM Modi’s energy, dynamism, and willingness to engage remain a prime asset for India on the global stage but deserve greater backing,” he wrote. “The diplomatic outreach following Operation Sindoor was a moment of national resolve and effective communication. It affirmed that India, when united, can project its voice with clarity and conviction on international platforms.”

The Congress, while maintaining an internal culture of ideological diversity, now finds itself balancing unity with discipline as high-profile figures like Tharoor increasingly diverge from party lines on national security and foreign policy.