Congress MP Shashi Tharoor Responds to Exit Buzz: “Why Am I Being Asked This?”

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor admitted that though his view on certain matters may have been construed by the media as pro-BJP, for him, it is only pro-government or pro-India.

Tharoor said that he had earlier made it clear that he does not like to talk about politics in certain international affairs and prefers to talk about the country. He supported the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha in an open manner and said that Rahul Gandhi is a strong voice against communalism in the country.

When asked by reporters if he could clearly state that he would not leave the Congress party, Tharoor said, "I can say that I will remain in the Congress and am not going anywhere." I will be part of the election campaign (in Kerala) and work for the UDF's victory. But why am I being asked to make such statements?'

The Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram told reporters, "This is nothing new; I have always said this." Last year, his comments on the India-Pakistan conflict and diplomatic efforts following the Pahalgam attack sparked controversy. His comments were at odds with the Congress's stance, and several party leaders questioned his motives.

Tharoor also acknowledged that a party member should not go against the party line. He said, "I have always stood with the party in Parliament, and therefore, there is no need to worry."

Tharoor met party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi on Thursday to resolve his grievances, after which he said, "Everything is fine" and "We are all on the same ideological footing."

Tharoor was upset by the way he was received at the recent event in Kochi and the attempts of some leaders of the Kerala unit of the party to sideline him. The meeting has come ahead of the Kerala Assembly Elections, which are crucial for the party.