'Honoured'; Central govt picks Shashi Tharoor to lead all-party delegation despite congress omission

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor accepted an invitation to join the all-party delegation formed by the Central government to visit foreign countries to explain Pakistan's cross-border terrorism and the background to India's Operation Sindoor against it.

Congress is deeply unhappy over Shashi Tharoor leading the delegation as the party had not included his name in the list sent to the central government. The central government had earlier asked political parties to nominate people for the delegation and the ominous absence of Tharoor’s name from the list was already a debate.

Congress proposed former Union Minister Anand Sharma, former Lok Sabha Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi, and MPs Syed Nazir Hussain and Raja Brar.

Meanwhile, Social media has reignited Tharoor’s rumoured switch to BJP which the current set of events has made more probable. CPM member John Brittas is also part of the delegation.

Shashi Tharoor’s response:

“I am honoured by the invitation of the government of India to lead an all-party delegation to five key capitals, to present our nation’s point of view on recent events. When national interest is involved, and my services are required, I will not be found wanting.”