Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: The Modi Government on Saturday announced Shashi Tharoor as the leader of one of the seven multi-party delegations it will be sending abroad to explain India’s stance on terrorism emanating from Pakistan, despite the Congress “not recommending” his name.
A “surprised” Congress accused the government of “playing games” with a “mischievous mindset” and said the government “should not add a name in such delegations without consulting the party”, especially “when we were asked for names and it was given in good faith”. It insisted only those recommended by it will be considered as representing the party.
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs named the leaders of the delegations in a statement, with Tharoor on top of the list followed by Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP), Sanjay Kumar Jha (JD-U), Baijayant Panda (BJP), Kanimozhi (DMK), Supriya Sule (NCP-SP) and Shrikant Shinde (Shiv Sena).
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “In moments that matter most, Bharat stands united. Seven all-party delegations will soon visit key partner nations, carrying our shared message of zero-tolerance to terrorism. A powerful reflection of national unity above politics, beyond differences.”
As the government announced the list of delegation leaders though it did not provide names of members, a fuming Congress expressed its disappointment with the government over nominating a Congress MP as delegation leader “without any consultation with the party”.
Congress sources said Tharoor did not intimate or take permission about the government’s plans to make him a delegation leader. Besides Tharoor, the government has also roped in Salman Khurshid and Manish Tewari to be part of the delegation though both are also not in the Congress’ list.
General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said the party recommended four names – Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Syed Naseer Hussain and Raja Brar – after Rijiju spoke with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday morning. However, he did not elaborate on the omission of Tharoor.
“The Congress was asked to submit names of four MPs for the delegations to be sent abroad to explain India's stance on terrorism from Pakistan,” Ramesh said, adding “by noon yesterday (Friday)...the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha wrote” to Rijiju with the names. He said the party will not reconsider these names but at the same time will not take action against others.
A little later, Tharoor posted on ‘X', “I am honoured by the invitation of the government of India to lead an all-party delegation to five key capitals, to present our nation’s point of view on recent events. When national interest is involved, and my services are required, I will not be found wanting.”
When asked about Tharoor’s participation, Ramesh refused to give a direct answer but said the party has given four names. “Congress mein hona aur Congress ka hona mein zameen-aasmaan ka antar hai (There is a huge difference between being in the Congress and of the Congress),” he said taking a swipe at Tharoor.
It is “dishonest” and “downright mischievous” to ask for names “when in all probability, they had decided the names even before that”, he said, adding they were surprised by the announcement.
Ramesh said “we have been demanding an all-party meeting (after the ceasefire announcement). On two previous occasions, the PM did not come. He has not acceded to our demand for a special session. Suddenly, we hear about these multi-party delegations because the government’s narrative has been punctured with the hyphenation of India-Pakistan.”
The Congress choices, including that surprise inclusion of former Union Minister Anand Sharma, came at a time the party feels that Tharoor has crossed the “Lakshman Rekha” with his praise of the government while the party has raised questions on Operation Sindoor and ceasefire announcement.