His remarks are personal: Congress distances itself from Shashi Tharoor’s praise of LK Advani

The Congress on Sunday said it does not share the views expressed by senior leader and MP Shashi Tharoor on veteran BJP leader L K Advani. The party said that Tharoor’s comments were made in his personal capacity and highlighted that his ability to do so as a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) reflects the organisation’s democratic and liberal spirit.

The clarification came after Tharoor praised Advani’s years of public service in a social media post on the latter’s birthday, describing him as a “true statesman” whose contributions have been “indelible.”

“Wishing the venerable Shri L K Advani a very happy 98th birthday! His unwavering commitment to public service, his modesty & decency, and his role in shaping the trajectory of modern India are indelible,” Tharoor wrote on X.

However, his remarks drew criticism online, with a lawyer responding, “Sorry Mr Tharoor, unleashing the ‘dragon seeds of hatred’ (to quote Kushwant Singh) in this country is NOT public service,” referring to Advani’s role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.

Responding to the criticism, Tharoor defended his position, saying, “Agreed, @sanjayuvacha, but reducing his long years of service to one episode, however significant, is also unfair. The totality of Nehruji's career cannot be judged by the China setback, nor Indira Gandhi's by the Emergency alone. I believe we should extend the same courtesy to Advaniji.”

Reacting to the controversy, Congress’ media and publicity department head, Pawan Khera, said, “Like always, Dr Shashi Tharoor speaks for himself and the Indian National Congress outrightly dissociates itself from his most recent statement. That he continues to do so as a Congress MP and CWC member reflects the essential democratic and liberal spirit unique to INC.”
(With PTI Inputs)