Congress MP Rajmohan Unnithan Criticizes Shashi Tharoor Over BJP Praises, Dynastic Remarks

Thiruvananthapuram: Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said that Shashi Tharoor could leave the Congress if he wanted, but the move to exit the party with a “martyr-like” stance is ongoing, and Congress is not falling for it. He added that whatever Tharoor is doing is clearly not in the interest of the Congress.

Last week, party worker Shashi Tharoor again praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had previously sharply criticized both the Congress and Rahul Gandhi during and after the Bihar election phase. Tharoor said he was happy to attend a memorial event on Ramnath Goenka alongside Modi.

Tharoor wrote on social media that the Prime Minister had called for relentless effort for India’s progress. He was trying to express a commitment to transform the enslaved mindset that has persisted for 200 years. Modi also envisioned a 10-year national project to restore pride in India’s heritage, language, and scientific systems.

Recently, Tharoor had also sharply criticized the Nehru family in an article, despite his continued praise of Modi.

Tharoor’s birthday wishes to L.K. Advani, BJP leader, who played a pivotal role in polarizing the country by demolishing the Babri Masjid, had also unsettled the Congress leadership. He shared a post emphasizing Advani’s unwavering commitment to public service, humility, decency, and the role he played in shaping modern India. Tharoor called him a true statesman.

Senior lawyer Sanjay Hegde corrected Tharoor, pointing out that Advani’s Rath Yatra inflicted a wound on the soul of independent India. Hegde said that spreading “seeds of hatred” in the country cannot be called public service, quoting Khushwant Singh. In response, Tharoor defended his stance, saying it was unfair to reduce Advani’s long career of service to a single event.

Tharoor added that one cannot judge Nehru or Indira Gandhi based on setbacks from China or the Emergency period in India, and he urged the critics to show Advani the same respect.

Tharoor’s article, which described family dynasties as a threat to democracy, became a controversial statement that BJP leveraged against Congress, including in the Bihar elections. Congress was not ready to respond strongly to this matter.