Not contesting 2029 Lok Sabha elections, constant praise of Modi government; Shashi Tharoor aiming for international level position?

NEW DELHI: There are strong rumours that Shashi Tharoor is constantly praising the Modi government and undermining Congress because of the Centre's promise of a high position. Political sources say that it is an honorary position with a cabinet rank representing India at the international level.

Tharoor, who was an undersecretary at the UN, also wants to head an international agency again. It is learnt that the Centre has also assured that it will seek the support of the world's nations for Tharoor's candidacy for an appointment like the chairmanship of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which falls vacant in September.

Tharoor had unsuccessfully contested for the post of Secretary-General of the United Nations in 2006. According to the UN agreement, the successor to the current Secretary-General, whose term ends in 2026, will be from Latin America. After that, there will be representation from Africa. Asia will have a chance only in 2045.

The all-party delegation led by Shashi Tharoor will travel to Guyana's capital Georgetown on Saturday, to explain India's stance on Operation Sindoor. The delegation will be briefed by External Affairs Ministry officials on Friday. From Georgetown, it will also travel to Panama, Colombia and Brazil. The US trip was postponed because the US Congress is on leave until June 2 in observance of the Big Memorial Day.

The Centre made Tharoor the leader of the group by cutting out the names given by the Congress. The Congress had to accept this without hesitation. If Congress creates trouble, the BJP will interpret it as anti-national. Tharoor accepted the invitation of the central government bypassing the Congress because he got plans for his future. He announced that he would not contest the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, aiming for a position above politics.

Tharoor had revealed that he had contested for the post of UN Secretary-General in 2006 under the pressure of then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He entered politics through Congress after losing.

Opponents say he will leave
The anti-Tharoor lobby in Kerala has informed the high command that if Tharoor continues this stance, there will be a setback in 2026. One section argues that he may join the BJP camp like Jyotiraditya Scindia and Jitin Prasada and should be removed from the party before that.

Will not join BJP; will accept any post
Tharoor told the media in Delhi yesterday that he will not join the BJP but will accept any post for the service of the country. "I came into politics to serve the country. The government can use my talent for that."