'Modi is a charismatic leader'; Shashi Tharoor’s praise for Modi sparks tension within Congress

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor continues to strike where it hurts the Nehru family and the Congress party. In a recent event held in London, Tharoor described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “charismatic leader.” Tharoor's praise about Modi comes a day after he sparked a controversy by sharply criticising former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi in an article about the Emergency.

Open praise for Modi Government
Tharoor's speech in London was seen as openly supportive of the Modi government. The seminar, titled "India 2047," focused on the vision of a developed India by 2047 — a slogan actively promoted by the Modi administration. Tharoor pointed out that India has clearly deviated from the left-leaning policies of the Congress party. He emphasised that the current path toward liberalisation and globalisation is beneficial for the country.

He noted that there have been continuous changes in national policies over the past 78 years, particularly in foreign affairs and governance. Tharoor praised the BJP government for nurturing a growing sense of nationalism and said that under Modi’s leadership, nationalism has been given a strong framework, surpassing Congress ideologies.

AICC likely to take action
Though the Congress high command has not publicly responded to Tharoor’s actions, there is growing resentment. The national leadership has so far chosen to ignore him, but party leaders — including those in Kerala — have expressed dissatisfaction. Indications are that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) will soon take a firm stance on Tharoor.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore indirectly criticised Tharoor, saying those who echo the BJP’s words are merely puppets in disguise. Meanwhile, the BJP has welcomed Tharoor’s article criticising the Emergency.

'If you feel suffocated, leave the party'; Muraleedharan lashes out at Tharoor
Senior Congress leader K. Muraleedharan said the party no longer wishes to engage in discussion about Shashi Tharoor, who praises both Modi and Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan. “If he feels suffocated, he should leave the party,” said Muraleedharan.

He added that both Tharoor and the party would benefit from clarity — either Tharoor should align with the party and focus on responsibilities, or he may lose his political relevance. Muraleedharan stressed that Tharoor won in Thiruvananthapuram primarily because of the support from the fishing community. “Anyone from Congress could have won in Thiruvananthapuram,” he said.