'Finally travelling in the same direction'; Tharoor responds to BJP MP's cryptic note and selfie

NEW DELHI: BJP MP's selfie with Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is becoming a topic of discussion on social media. The picture shared by BJP leader Baijayant Jai Panda and the accompanying note are gaining attention. 'Finally travelling in the same direction', Panda, who is also the BJP Vice President, wrote, sharing the selfie with Shashi Tharoor.

'My friend and fellow traveller called me mischievous for saying that we seem to be finally travelling in the same direction...' Panda's post read.

Tharoor has given clarification regarding this via X. He responded, 'Fellow traveller, only to Bhubaneswar! I am addressing the Kalinga LitFest tomorrow morning. And coming right back.'

Tharoor's selfie with the BJP MP has come out amid a rift with the Congress over his praise of the state government in Kerala and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shashi Tharoor had said that the policy adopted by Narendra Modi when the Russia-Ukraine war broke out was right, which had upset the Congress. Modi was able to maintain good relations between the two countries. He had also said that his own opposition to India's position was wrong. Tharoor's remarks were made while speaking at the 'Raisina Dialogue' in Delhi.

Tharoor's article praising the industrial development of Kerala had sparked the controversy. Tharoor's article 'Changing Kerala: Lumbering jumbo to a lithe tiger', which pointed out the growth in the startup sector and Kerala's ranking as the first in the business-friendliness rankings, had led to the controversy. Later, Congress leaders including VD Satheesan came out to criticise Tharoor. State leaders also filed a complaint against Tharoor with the high command.