Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has once again stirred debate by openly supporting the Modi government on foreign soil. Speaking at a conference in London on the theme ‘India 2047’, Tharoor acknowledged that significant positive changes are underway in India under the energetic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Tharoor highlighted that India has shifted away from the leftist policies of the Congress era, and that the current trajectory towards liberalisation and globalisation is beneficial for the nation. According to Tharoor, the foundational policies of the country have evolved drastically over the past 78 years, with visible changes in foreign policy and governance. He noted that a strong sense of nationalism now prevails under BJP rule, and lauded the party’s centralised approach to governance, pointing out its tangible achievements, especially in poverty eradication.
Calling Prime Minister Modi a “charismatic leader,” Tharoor reiterated that India has transitioned from Congress-era policies to a nationalist framework during Modi’s leadership.
Emergency Revisited: Tharoor’s Critique of Congress Rule Draws Fire from Party Leaders
His remarks come even as reactions to his recent article detailing the fascist actions of Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi during the Emergency are yet to die down. In that article, Tharoor had directly criticised the Congress for its role during the 21-month Emergency, which he described as a period when fundamental rights were suspended and the core values of the Indian Constitution were dismantled. He wrote that Indira Gandhi believed extreme and brutal measures were necessary, leading to a climate of fear and silence across a once-vibrant democracy. The legal system was compromised, while journalists, activists, and opposition leaders were jailed.
Tharoor didn’t spare Sanjay Gandhi either. He condemned Sanjay’s forced sterilisation campaign, mass demolitions, and evictions that left thousands homeless. Tharoor argued that the Emergency revealed the Congress government’s irresponsible attitude towards its citizens. He contrasted that era with today’s India, which, in his view, has become more prosperous and democratically resilient.
The article was widely circulated, even shared by the official X handle of the Prime Minister’s Office. In another opinion piece, Tharoor also highlighted the Modi government’s resolute stance on counter-terrorism efforts.
Adding to the political drama, Tharoor recently shared the results of a survey naming him the most suitable Congress candidate for the post of Kerala’s Chief Minister. This has fuelled speculation about his future within the Congress party.
Former KPCC president K. Muraleedharan openly criticised Tharoor, stating, “If Shashi Tharoor feels suffocated in Congress, he should leave the party. He praises everyone except Congress leaders. He has two options: either leave or submit to the party.”
Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson RP Singh interpreted Tharoor’s praise of Modi’s democratic leadership as a veiled jab at the internal functioning of the Congress. “This is a direct message against Rahul Gandhi’s dictatorial control over the Congress party,” he said, adding that a party led by the Nehru family has no moral ground to lecture others about democracy.
