National: Tensions within the Congress Party appeared to deepen on May 17 following the Central government’s decision to select senior leader and Kerala MP Shashi Tharoor for a key diplomatic role—bypassing the party’s own list of recommended names, including Gaurav Gogoi. The move has sparked speculation about a possible rift between the Congress leadership and Tharoor, who has often found himself at odds with the party’s inner circle.
The Centre announced that Tharoor would be among seven MPs comprising all-party delegations scheduled to visit major global capitals later this month. The mission aims to counter Pakistan’s narrative, highlight its role in fostering terrorism, and present India’s official position on Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Shortly after the list was made public, Congress communications head Jairam Ramesh took to social media to clarify the party’s position. “The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, spoke with the Congress President and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The Congress was asked to submit the names of four MPs for the delegations being sent abroad to explain India’s stance on terrorism from Pakistan,” Ramesh tweeted. He also listed the names submitted by the party: Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Syed Naseer Hussain, and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring—noticeably omitting Tharoor.
In response to his inclusion, Tharoor struck a diplomatic tone, stating he was “honoured by the invitation” and underscored his readiness to serve when the nation called. “When national interest is involved and my services are required, I will not be found wanting,” he said.
The government’s decision to pick Tharoor despite Congress’s alternate suggestions has raised eyebrows and led to renewed murmurs of discontent within party ranks. Analysts suggest the development reflects a growing disconnect between the party’s central leadership and its more globally prominent voices.
The delegation initiative comes in the wake of India’s renewed diplomatic offensive against Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror camps across the border. The mission includes outreach to key countries, including UN Security Council members, to reinforce India’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism.