Shashi Tharoor admits differences with Congress leadership: ‘You know what I am talking about’
Shashi Tharoor acknowledged his differences with certain Congress leaders. He refrained from disclosing further details.
Shashi Tharoor of the Congress on Thursday acknowledged having differences with certain members of the party leadership but said he would refrain from discussing them publicly due to the bypoll in Nilambur constituency.
Speaking to reporters, Shashi Tharoor emphasised his deep commitment to the Congress, its principles, and its workers. He added that he has worked alongside party workers for 16 years and regards them as close friends and brothers, news agency PTI reported.
"However, I do have differences of opinion with some in the Congress leadership. You know what I am talking about, as some of those issues are there in the public domain and have been reported by you (media)," PTI quoted Tharoor as saying.
"The Congress party, its values, and its workers are dear to me. I have been working with them for the past 16 years, and I have seen their commitment, dedication and idealism," news agency ANI quoted him as saying.
The Congress Working Committee (CWC) member did not clarify whether his differences of opinion were with the national or state leadership. The Thiruvananthapuram MP indicated that he might talk about those differences after the bypoll results.
When asked why he was not part of the bypoll campaign, Tharoor said he was not invited for it as was the practice during the other byelections, including the one in Wayanad held last year.
"I do not go where I am not invited," the senior Congress leader said, but added that he wants the party workers' campaign efforts to bear fruit and the UDF candidate to win from Nilambur.
Regarding his recent talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tharoor said it was regarding the delegations' visits to various countries in connection with Operation Sindoor and the discussions held there.
"No domestic politics were discussed," he said.
Defending his decision to accept the Centre's invite to head one of the delegations, he said that when he became the chairman of the External Affairs Committee of the Parliament, he had made it clear that he was focused on India's foreign policy and its national interest and not the foreign policy of the Congress and BJP.
"I have not changed my line. When an issue concerning the nation comes up, we are all obligated to work and speak for the country. What I said during Operation Sindoor was my own opinion.
"The Centre asked for my services. Indeed, my party did not. So, I proudly did my duty as an Indian citizen," he said.
The bypoll has been necessitated after the resignation of Left Democratic Front independent legislator PV Anvar, who later joined the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) after his acrimonious break-up with the ruling alliance.
UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukhath sounded optimistic about a win, accusing the state government of turning a blind eye to Nilambur. He pointed to unaddressed issues such as the failure to rehabilitate tribal communities and a surge in human-animal conflicts in the area.
"There will be a good victory in this election. For the last nine years, the state government has neglected the Nilambur area. Many tribals have not been rehabilitated. There is also human-animal conflict here," Shoukath told ANI.
