Daijiworld Media Network - Kochi
Kochi, Jul 20: Senior Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor has stood his ground amid mounting criticism from within his party over his remarks following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s Operation Sindoor counterstrike.
Speaking at a public event in Kochi, Tharoor was asked by a high school student about his perceived differences with Congress leadership. The MP responded candidly, stating, “I will stand my ground because I believe this is the right thing for the country.”
Tharoor has drawn praise from even political opponents for supporting the government's action against terror and for articulating India’s stance to national and international media. However, his views have not sat well with the Congress leadership, which had initially extended support to the Centre but later questioned aspects of the ceasefire and US involvement.
“Politics is about competition, but we must cooperate across party lines when it comes to national security,” Tharoor said. “The nation comes first. Parties are only a means to make the nation better. Whichever party we belong to, our aim must be to build a safer and stronger India.”
Without naming his party directly, he emphasised that leaders must look beyond partisanship. “Parliament has 46 parties today. Surely, there must be some issues on which we all unite,” he said.
Referring to Operation Sindoor, Tharoor said he supported the armed forces and the government's response. “I speak for all Indians, not just those who support my party,” he noted, urging all political outfits to “put differences aside when the nation is imperiled.”
Tharoor also invoked Jawaharlal Nehru in a subtle message to his critics. “Who lives if India dies?” he quoted Nehru, adding, “India must come first. Then only can we all live.”
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had earlier taken a veiled dig at Tharoor, saying, “For Congress, it’s country first, but for some people, it’s Modi first,” after the MP praised the Prime Minister’s leadership during the crisis.
Unfazed, Tharoor responded on X with a cryptic post: “Don’t ask permission to fly. The wings are yours. And the sky belongs to no one.”