New Delhi, June 25 — Congress MP Shashi Tharoor reignited political debate within his party on Wednesday with a cryptic social media post, just hours after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge made veiled remarks apparently aimed at Tharoor’s recent op-ed praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The post, shared by Tharoor on X (formerly Twitter), featured an image of a bird perched on a branch, accompanied by the quote:
“Don’t ask permission to fly. The wings are yours and the sky belongs to no one…”
The timing of the message — closely following Kharge’s pointed comments at a press conference — has been interpreted as a subtle but unmistakable response to growing unease within the party ranks.— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 25, 2025
Kharge’s Indirect Swipe
At a press briefing held at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi, Kharge appeared to take aim at Tharoor’s article without naming him. “I don’t know how to read English; he has a very good command of English, which is why we made him a CWC member,” Kharge said, in a sardonic reference to Tharoor’s linguistic prowess.
Kharge continued, “The entire opposition said, ‘We are with our Army, our soldiers, and Operation Sindoor.’ For us, the nation comes first, but some say, ‘Modi first and nation second’ — so what can we do about that?”
Despite the sharp tone, Kharge dismissed the possibility of disciplinary action against Tharoor. “People will write what they feel like, we don’t want to get involved in all that. We want unity for the nation, and we will keep fighting for the nation. There are nearly 34 CWC members and 30 special invitees, each with their views. What he is saying reflects his personal opinion. We are focused on saving the nation. If someone is concerned about something else, then you should ask him,” he said.
Praise That Stirred Controversy
The friction stems from Tharoor’s recent op-ed in The Hindu, titled “Lessons from Operation Sindoor’s Global Outreach”, published on June 23. In it, Tharoor wrote:
“PM Modi’s energy, dynamism, and willingness to engage remain a prime asset for India on the global stage.”
Though Tharoor positioned the piece as a call for national unity, praising India’s diplomatic response to the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor, the Congress party has distanced itself from the views expressed.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said on Tuesday, “It may be his own opinion; it is not the opinion of the Congress party. It is not the Congress’ view since we have presented our views with evidence and proof.”
Deepening Rifts and Speculation Over Future
Tharoor’s statements — including his backing of the government’s Operation Sindoor and participation in a diplomatic outreach mission abroad — have become flashpoints in his increasingly tense relationship with the party’s leadership.
The situation escalated further when the Modi government tapped Tharoor, a former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, to lead a cross-party delegation abroad to articulate India’s global position on terrorism. While the Congress has broadly supported the government’s anti-terrorism posture, it has been notably uneasy about Tharoor’s glowing references to Modi’s leadership.
This latest op-ed has revived questions about Tharoor’s standing within the party and his long-term political trajectory. Several party leaders, including Pawan Khera and Udit Raj, have openly criticised the article, with some calling it politically inappropriate.
Tharoor Responds: Not Joining BJP
Responding to the controversy, Tharoor has clarified that his article should not be read as a signal of shifting political allegiance. “It’s not about leaping to join another party. This is about national interest, national unity, and standing up for India,” he said, asserting that his intent was to highlight the success of India’s diplomatic efforts, not to endorse any political ideology.
Notably, the Prime Minister’s Office shared Tharoor’s article on its official X handle — a rare amplification of a Congress leader’s commentary — fuelling further speculation.
As debate continues within the Congress over Tharoor’s role and remarks, his cryptic social media post suggests he is unbowed — and perhaps prepared to continue flying solo in his interpretation of what best serves the nation.
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