Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, May 17: Senior BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari lashed out Saturday at Rahul Gandhi and Jairam Ramesh for criticizing the appointment of party colleague Shashi Tharoor to lead one of India’s parliamentary delegations on anti terror diplomacy abroad.

Taking to X, Bhandari accused the Leader of the Opposition of resenting patriotic voices within his own ranks. “Why does Rahul Gandhi hate every individual who speaks for India, even in his own party?” he asked.

Bhandari also targeted Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, who had questioned Tharoor’s inclusion. “So Jairam Ramesh opposes his own Congressman Shashi Tharoor for being chosen to lead one of the parliamentary delegations!” he wrote.

Earlier, BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya joined the fray, calling Gandhi “insecure” and “jealous” for overlooking Tharoor’s foreign policy expertise and oratory skills. Malviya pointed to Tharoor’s UN background and diplomatic experience as qualifications that should have made him an obvious choice.

Both BJP leaders criticized the Congress’s alternative nominees—Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain and Gaurav Gogoi—questioning their suitability for sensitive anti terror missions.

The spat underscores growing tensions between the two parties as they vie to shape India’s international narrative on terrorism emanating from Pakistan.