A political row erupted on Wednesday after Congress MP Shashi Tharoor praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent speech, drawing sharp reactions from both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Tharoor commended the Prime Minister’s address delivered during the sixth Ramnath Goenka Lecture, calling it thoughtful and forward-looking. The remarks came days after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a major victory in the Bihar elections, in which the Congress faced significant setbacks.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla strongly criticised the Congress for questioning Tharoor’s views. He alleged that the party suppresses internal dissent and punishes leaders who express independent opinions.
“If someone appreciates the Prime Minister’s speech, which focuses on broader national issues, the Congress issues a ‘fatwa’ against that person. They talk about democracy across India, but there is none within their own party,” Poonawalla said.
He further claimed that the Congress exhibits “authoritarian behaviour,” remarking that the party’s mindset resembles “Indira’s Emergency-era style and Nazi-like dictatorial tendencies.”
Tharoor Praises Modi’s Message Despite Illness
In a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter), Tharoor said he attended the lecture despite suffering from a severe cold and cough. He appreciated the Prime Minister’s emphasis on empathy and emotional connection with the people.
Tharoor highlighted Modi’s reference to Thomas Macaulay and the historical legacy of colonial influence. The Prime Minister urged the nation to overcome what he described as a “mindset of slavery” and proposed a 10-year national mission to strengthen pride in India’s heritage, languages, and knowledge systems.
Congress Responds to Tharoor
Congress leader Supriya Shrinate dismissed Tharoor’s praise, stating that she did not find anything exceptional or commendable in the Prime Minister’s speech.
“I didn’t find anything in the speech worth appreciating. The Prime Minister needs to answer many serious questions. I do not understand what exactly was praiseworthy,” Shrinate said.
The differing viewpoints have once again highlighted internal contrasts within the Congress, even as the party reassesses its strategy following the Bihar election outcome.
