'Indelible role in shaping modern India'; MP Shashi Tharoor's praise for Advani sparks Congress fury

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s glossy words in praise of BJP leader L K Advani, who turned 98 yesterday, made many faces squirm in the Congress camp.

"Wishing the venerable Shri L.K. Advani a very happy 98th birthday! His unwavering commitment to public service, his modesty & decency, and his role in shaping the trajectory of modern India are indelible," the Congress leader posted on X.

When netizens brought out the role played by the erstwhile BJP supremo in the demolition of Babri Masjid, Tharoor hit back with a sane explanation.

Tharoor:

“It is unfair to judge a political career spanning decades based on one incident alone. Jawaharlal Nehru cannot be judged solely based on China's retaliation. Indira Gandhi cannot be judged solely based on the Emergency. Tharoor argued that the same justice should be shown to Advani. Tharoor also shared a photo with Advani.”

Responding to Tharoor's post, senior Supreme Court lawyer Sanjay Hegde wrote that sowing the seeds of hatred is not public service.

“The Rath Yatra was not just an incident. It paved the way for 2002 and 2014. The Rath Yatra and its legacy of violence are haunting the fate of the country. Even in his current position, Advani has not preached any Raj Dharma"

Tharoor had earlier supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with US President Donald Trump. The central government appointed Tharoor to head a foreign delegation to explain Operation Sindoor, overruling the opposition of the Congress. The BJP had used Tharoor's article against family rule in politics the previous day to attack the Congress.