Key Points

Kharge, who addressed a press conference slamming the Modi government, took another dig at Thaoor, saying "some people say Modi first, country later". Tharoor had recently praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a newspaper article.

"Shashi Tharoor's English is very good, that's why he has been taken in CWC (Congress Working Committee). I supported this," Kharge said.

"But what I want to say is that all of us, the entire opposition, have come together and said we stand with our Army, our Army that is fighting, we are with them. We say nation first, but some people say Modi first, country later. What can we do about that?" he added.

Kharge sidestepped a question on Congress taking action against Tharoor.

"Whoever wants to write...whatever, can write. We don't want to pay attention to it. (Ham isme dimaag-khrabh nhi karna chahte). We have only one target that there should be unity in the country. The country stays safe and we will keep on fighting for the country. We don't need to pay attention to what anyone is saying," Kharge said.

Kharge brushed aside a question if the party is afraid of taking action Tharoor

"We are a party. Why would we be afraid? He is speaking according to his will. There is no need to repeat it again and again. We are concerned about saving the nation. If someone has other concerns, then you can ask him," Kharge said.

Hours later, Tharoor made a post on X that prominently carried a picture of a bird. "Don't ask permission to fly. The wings are yours. And the sky belongs to no one," the post said.

https://x.com/ShashiTharoor/status/1937816207794508243

Tharoor, who contested the presidential election against Kharge, has earlier conveyed to the party to utilise his services or he will have his own way ahead.

Tharoor led an all-party parliamentary delegation to Guyana, Panama, Colombia, Brazil, and the United States as part of the Modi government's global outreach after Operation Sindoor. Some of his remarks did not go down well with party leaders.

Prime Minister's Office on Monday shared an article by Tharoor on India's global outreach following Operation Sindoor in which he said 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".

"Lok Sabha MP and former Union Minister Dr. @shashitharoor writes- Lessons from Operation Sindoor's global outreach," PMO said in a post on X.

In his article in The Hindu newspaper, Tharoor said that the aftermath of the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, and India's resolute response through "Operation Sindoor", presented a critical juncture for the nation's foreign policy.

"While the immediate military action was decisive, the subsequent diplomatic outreach was equally, if not more, vital in shaping global perceptions and consolidating international support," he said.

Tharoor said his visit to five countries as part of global outreach offered him a unique vantage point from which to reflect on the lessons learned from this intensive period of public diplomacy.

He also lauded the name 'Operation Sindoor'

Congress leaders have disagreed with some of Tharoor's views in the past. Party leader Udit Raj had earlier termed him a "super spokesperson" of the BJP. Party leader Randeep Singh Surjewala had said what Thaoor had spoken on surgical strikes was factually incorrect.

Responding to queries, Tharoor had said earlier this month that he had a difference of opinion with some in the party leadership but added that Congress, its values, and its workers are dear to him.

- ANI