Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Nov 25: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has said that excessive ideological rigidity is harming India’s political climate and stressed the need for cooperation between the Centre and states, even when ruled by different parties. Speaking at an Amrita News event in Dubai, Tharoor remarked that politics today has become “so polarised” that even neutral comments are viewed with suspicion.
He said he was recently attacked online for merely describing a speech by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “I didn’t say a single word of praise. I just described the speech. But that is the atmosphere in our country right now,” Tharoor noted, adding that people are now “only interested in ideological purity” and not in getting work done.
Tharoor argued that cooperative federalism is essential for development. “Somebody has won the election and formed the government at the Centre. You have won in your state. If your state won’t cooperate with the Centre, how will you get anything done? It is in the interest of our people… both the citizens of India and Kerala,” he told the largely Kerala-origin audience.
He criticised recent instances where Kerala allegedly lost Central funds due to political differences. “A scheme was rejected and money was denied even though Kerala is broke and schools need support. That is crazy. It is taxpayers’ money,” he said.
Tharoor recalled that he is often at odds with the ruling party but insisted that governance requires dialogue. “Yes, I disagree with them. But they have a mandate. If they come up with a scheme that will benefit Kerala, I will work within my convictions and take that money for my state. That cooperation is essential,” he said.
The Congress leader also praised the surprising cordiality between US President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who recently met at the White House despite their bitter campaign exchanges. Describing it as the model of a healthy democracy, Tharoor wrote on X that rivals must “fight passionately during elections, but once it’s over, learn to cooperate in the interests of the nation.”
The meeting between Trump and Mamdani had drawn attention as both leaders had previously attacked each other, with Mamdani calling himself “Trump’s worst nightmare” and Trump labelling him a “100 per cent Communist lunatic.”