NEW DELHI: Veteran Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday reacted to the party's "lakshman rekha" remark and said that he wasn't the grand old party's spokesperson. This came after the Thiruvananthapuram MP differed from the party's stance in attacking the BJP-led central government over US President Donald Trump 's interference in India-Pakistan truce. He, in fact, defended the Modi government calling out Trump for taking credit for the ceasefire.
Reacting to Congress party 's national spokesperson Jairam Ramesh's comments when he said that his views "does not reflect the views of the party,” Tharoor said, "He is absolutely correct. I have made it very clear that I am not a spokesperson of party, I am not a spokesperson of the government, either. People seem to think that I have some of the knowledge, so they come and ask my views. But I have made it very clear, sometimes explicitly and sometimes implicitly, that I am expressing my personal views as an Indian and as a proud citizen."
Tharoor, however, added that he had not received any communication from Congress after a party source told PTI that the leader had "crossed the lakshman rekha" with his repeated remarks on the India-Pakistan conflict even after it issued a whip to the leaders to speak in line with the party's stance.
Also read: 'New normal' for Congress? Shashi Tharoor's praise for PM Modi's policies
"I made it very clear that I am expressing my personal views. It was really a contribution to the national discourse, at a time when it was very important for us to rally around the flag, especially internationally. There was a relative lack of our point of view being heard, particularly in the US, Europe, and the Middle East... People are entirely free to reject my point of view. I have received no communication from the party; all I am seeing is media reports," he said.
When Congress screamed Trump & Indira, Tharoor defended PM Modi
Even as Tharoor made it clear that he was not a government spokesperson either, he has been making ripples in the political circle this year by expressing views that have come across in favour of the Centre, earning him the title of a 'hater-turned fan'.
In the past week when Congress went all out against the BJP, first regarding Trump, and then over its decision to agree for the truce, Tharoor went against the party to defend the Centre.
"Peace is essential. I am very glad, India never wanted a long-term war. India wanted to teach terrorists a lesson, I believe that lesson has been taught. The other details are awaited," Tharoor said on ceasefire while several party leaders were busy comparing the move with former PM Indira Gandhi's strong stance against Pakistan.
On Trump, he said, "I see it as a particular politician wanting to take credit for something and I can see that the government of India probably said 'let them take the credit if they want to', but from our point of view we have made it clear that the peace followed a request from the DGMO of Pakistan who called his Indian counterpart at 3:35 pm (Saturday) and we did not take very long to say yes because we had never wanted a long war."
Earlier this year, Tharoor was seen sharing stage with PM Modi at the Vizhinjam port inauguration. Additionally, he had praised the Centre's anti-war stance on Russia-Ukraine war, its foreign policy on Covid vaccine sparking speculation about a rift with the Congress.
Reacting to Congress party 's national spokesperson Jairam Ramesh's comments when he said that his views "does not reflect the views of the party,” Tharoor said, "He is absolutely correct. I have made it very clear that I am not a spokesperson of party, I am not a spokesperson of the government, either. People seem to think that I have some of the knowledge, so they come and ask my views. But I have made it very clear, sometimes explicitly and sometimes implicitly, that I am expressing my personal views as an Indian and as a proud citizen."
VIDEO | Here's what Congress MP Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) said on party leader Jairam Ramesh's 'not opinion of Congress' remark.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 15, 2025
"He is absolutely correct. I have made it very clear that I am not a spokesperson of party, I am not a spokesperson of the government, either.… pic.twitter.com/gmjk1u3YmV
Tharoor, however, added that he had not received any communication from Congress after a party source told PTI that the leader had "crossed the lakshman rekha" with his repeated remarks on the India-Pakistan conflict even after it issued a whip to the leaders to speak in line with the party's stance.
Also read: 'New normal' for Congress? Shashi Tharoor's praise for PM Modi's policies
"I made it very clear that I am expressing my personal views. It was really a contribution to the national discourse, at a time when it was very important for us to rally around the flag, especially internationally. There was a relative lack of our point of view being heard, particularly in the US, Europe, and the Middle East... People are entirely free to reject my point of view. I have received no communication from the party; all I am seeing is media reports," he said.
#WATCH | Thiruvanathapuram | "...At this time, at a time of conflict, I spoke as an Indian. I never pretended to speak for anyone else. I am not a spokesperson for the party. I am not the government spokesperson. Whatever I have said, you may agree or disagree with that, blame it… pic.twitter.com/7xNAU93IyQ
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2025
When Congress screamed Trump & Indira, Tharoor defended PM Modi
Even as Tharoor made it clear that he was not a government spokesperson either, he has been making ripples in the political circle this year by expressing views that have come across in favour of the Centre, earning him the title of a 'hater-turned fan'.
Prime Minister Modi needs new haters… Old ones are turning into his fans. pic.twitter.com/emtQToK4Tc
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) March 19, 2025
In the past week when Congress went all out against the BJP, first regarding Trump, and then over its decision to agree for the truce, Tharoor went against the party to defend the Centre.
"Peace is essential. I am very glad, India never wanted a long-term war. India wanted to teach terrorists a lesson, I believe that lesson has been taught. The other details are awaited," Tharoor said on ceasefire while several party leaders were busy comparing the move with former PM Indira Gandhi's strong stance against Pakistan.
On Trump, he said, "I see it as a particular politician wanting to take credit for something and I can see that the government of India probably said 'let them take the credit if they want to', but from our point of view we have made it clear that the peace followed a request from the DGMO of Pakistan who called his Indian counterpart at 3:35 pm (Saturday) and we did not take very long to say yes because we had never wanted a long war."
Earlier this year, Tharoor was seen sharing stage with PM Modi at the Vizhinjam port inauguration. Additionally, he had praised the Centre's anti-war stance on Russia-Ukraine war, its foreign policy on Covid vaccine sparking speculation about a rift with the Congress.
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