"Development above partisan politics": Manish Tewari defends sharing stage with PM Modi
New Delhi, July 18
Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament Manish Tewari on Saturday struck back at critics who questioned his presence at official government events alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Taking to X, the Congress leader declared, "I have always endeavoured to keep the imperatives of development above partisan politics... That is who I am, irrespective of who may think what!"
The statement follows Tewari's attendance at a high-profile event on July 17, where the Prime Minister inaugurated a massive slate of development projects spanning Chandigarh and Tewari's former constituency of Sri Anandpur Sahib.
Tewari noted that this was not his first time prioritising regional growth over party lines, recalling his presence on August 24, 2022, when PM Modi inaugurated the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in New Chandigarh, a facility he noted has since become a vital lifeline for thousands of cancer patients in the region.
Reflecting deeply on his 45-year journey as a political activist, Tewari expressed profound concern over the deteriorating nature of the country's public discourse. "Over the past 45 years as a political activist, I have seen how our politics is systematically breaking down," Tewari wrote, adding that it has "turned increasingly toxic and corrosive where political rivals are now considered as mortal adversaries."
Pointing a finger at the national capital, Tewari stated that "Delhi today epitomises this broken politics." Despite the changing political climate, the Congress leader maintained that he remains intentionally "old school," holding onto basic courtesies, protocol, and the core belief that public service must ultimately transcend bitter political divides.
Congress MP Manish Tewari briefly interacted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 17 after the Chandigarh programme, where PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over Rs 4,700 crore.
The Chandigarh MP was seen interacting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the stage after the event concluded. Union Minister J.P. Nadda was also part of the conversation.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is the kind of maturity Indian politics desperately needs. The toxic environment in Delhi is pushing our country backwards, and here is Manish Tewari showing that statesmanship still exists. His point about cancer hospital being a lifeline for thousands shows real impact.
Understandable sentiment, but isn't this a bit selective? Congress has been criticising Modi for years, yet Tewari now wants to be above politics? Bhai, you can't have it both ways - either you oppose or you cooperate. This feels like political opportunism in the name of development. 🤔
Manish Tewari has always been a class apart in Congress - intellectual, articulate, and principled. His comment about Delhi epitomising broken politics is spot on. Our Parliament has become a circus of walkouts and shouting matches. Leaders who work across party lines for public good should be celebrated, not criticised.
I appreciate the sentiment, but it's easy to say this when your party is in opposition. What happens when Congress is in power? Will they still share the stage? Nevertheless, Tewari's 45-year dedication is commendable, and he's right that cancer hospital has saved many lives in Punjab-Haryana region. 👏
This is the conversation we need to have! Our political leaders treat each other like personal enemies - it's no surprise the country is polarised. Tewari ji being 'old school' about courtesies and protocol is actually refreshing. We need more of this bipartisanship for genuine development. 🇮🇳
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