NEW DELHI: MP Shashi Tharoor took to social media to respond indirectly following Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressing his displeasure during a press conference at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi over Tharoor's article in an English daily praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

MP Shashi Tharoor has come out with a scathing reply to Mallikarjun Kharge and AICC general secretary KC Venugopal amid growing speculation that Tharoor may defect to the BJP. "Don't ask permission to fly. The wings are yours. And the sky belongs to no one," Tharoor posted on X.

Kharge had levelled criticism against Tharoor saying, 'Modi is first for some'. KC Venugopal had also criticised Tharoor in a similar manner. KC Venugopal had earlier said that each leader should examine himself to see if he is crossing the party's boundaries and should be aware of what he is saying.

Tharoor's statement in an article that "Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s energy, dynamism and willingness to engage remains a prime asset for India on the global stage, but deserves greater backing," had sparked a debate within the Congress party. Party leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge and K.C. Venugopal had expressed dissatisfaction with Tharoor's views.

"Shashi Tharoor's language is very good. That is why he has been kept in the Congress Working Committee. We said that country first, but some people say that Modi comes first, country comes later," Mallikarjun Kharge said.

Tharoor responded to the criticism by saying he had no intention of joining the BJP, and that his article was intended to highlight national interests rather than curry favour with the ruling party. Tharoor stressed that responsible leadership is one that recognizes India's achievements despite political divisions.