Key Points

Shashi Tharoor reaffirms his commitment to national security above party politics. He urges political parties to unite when India faces threats, citing Nehru's famous quote. Tharoor believes parties should prioritize a better, safer India despite ideological differences. His remarks come amid questions about his relationship with Congress leadership.

Key Points: Shashi Tharoor Says Nation First Amid Congress Leadership Questions

  • Tharoor emphasizes national security over party loyalty
  • Calls for inter-party cooperation for India's safety
  • Quotes Nehru's "Who lives if India dies?"
  • Stresses commitment to secure borders and public welfare
3 min read

To my mind the nation comes first: Shashi Tharoor

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor prioritizes national security over party loyalty, urging unity among political parties for India's safety.

"To my mind, the nation comes first – Shashi Tharoor"

Kochi, July 19

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, while addressing the issues related to party high command, stated that sometimes it is necessary to cooperate with other parties in the interest of national security.

Tharoor while speaking during an event in Kochi, was answering a student's query related to his relations with the Congress party leadership.

The Congress MP emphasised that, for him, national security will always come first. According to him, the main perspective of any political party is to make a better India.

"Politics is unfortunately or otherwise in any democracy is about competition. As a result when people like me say it that we respect our parties we have certain values and convictions which keep us in our parties. But we need to cooperate with other parties in the interest of national security the question you asked. Sometimes the parties feel that is disloyal to them and that becomes a big problem which is your first loyalty? To my mind the nation comes first", he said.

"Parties are a means of making the nation better. So to my mind whichever party you belong to the objective of that party is to create a better India in it's own way. The parties have the right to disagree about the best way of doing that, the best way of making a better India", Tharoor said during the event.

Tharoor stressed that his commitment is towards a better and safe India whose borders are secure.

"Some of us may say, let's say, more capitalism. Some may say more socialism. Some may be in favour of certain kinds of regulatory controls. Some may be against too much regulation. So you have different points of view. That's fine. But ultimately, we must all be committed to a better India, a safer India, an India whose borders are protected, whose territory is safe, whose people's well-being can be nurtured. And that is my commitment", he said.

The Congress MP further urged all the political parties to stay united when the nation is "imperiled". He quoted former India PM Jawaharlal Nehru famous quote, "Who lives if India dies? And that's a question to which there is no answer. India must come first, and then only can we all live."

"I'm saying it to all parties. Put your differences aside when the nation is imperiled. Because if there is no India, there's a very famous line of Nehru's, which I am very fond of quoting. Who lives if India dies? And that's a question to which there is no answer. India must come first, and then only can we all live," he said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Beautifully articulated by Mr. Tharoor. The Nehru quote gave me goosebumps! As an NRI, I wish more politicians would think like this instead of playing petty politics all the time.
A
Arjun K
Good words but actions matter more. Will his party actually follow this when needed? We've seen them oppose even important defense deals in parliament. Hope this isn't just talk.
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Priya S
As a young voter, I appreciate leaders who think beyond party lines. But I wonder - is this message only for opposition parties? The ruling party should also remember this when dealing with state governments of different parties.
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Vikram M
Tharoor always speaks with such clarity! The part about different economic approaches being okay as long as we aim for better India is so important. We need this maturity in our political discourse.
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Kavya N
While I agree with the sentiment, I wish he had given concrete examples of when his party put nation first despite political differences. Talk is cheap - show us the walk!
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Michael C
This is the kind of statesmanship India needs more of. In my country, we've seen how toxic partisanship can damage a nation. Hope Indian politicians take this message seriously.

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