Congress Excludes Shashi Tharoor from Delegation to Address Pahalgam Attack

In a recent political development, the Congress party has unveiled its list of MPs designated for a delegation to address the Pahalgam terror attack, notably excluding senior leader Shashi Tharoor. This decision comes shortly after the government announced its own delegation, which includes Tharoor. The Congress's list features four MPs, including Anand Sharma and Gaurav Gogoi, as they aim to present India's stance on terrorism linked to Pakistan. The delegations are set to visit key international partners to discuss these pressing issues. Read on to discover more about the implications of this political maneuvering.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 17, 2025, 12:06 IST

Congress Reveals Its Delegation List Amidst Controversy

New Delhi: Shortly after the government disclosed the names of seven Members of Parliament (MPs) designated to represent India internationally regarding Pakistan's involvement in the recent Pahalgam terror incident, the Congress party announced its own list of MPs submitted to the government. Notably, senior Congress figure and former diplomat Shashi Tharoor was absent from this list.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had included Tharoor in the delegation alongside MPs from various parties. However, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh pointed out on social media that Tharoor was not among the four MPs nominated by the Congress party.

Ramesh stated, "Yesterday morning, Minister Kiren Rijiju had a conversation with the Congress President and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The INC was requested to provide names of four MPs for the delegations aimed at clarifying India's position on terrorism emanating from Pakistan."

He further mentioned that by noon on May 16, Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi had communicated with Rijiju, proposing four names: former Union Minister Anand Sharma, Deputy Leader of Opposition Gaurav Gogoi, Rajya Sabha member Syed Naseer Hussain, and Lok Sabha MP Raja Brar.

India plans to dispatch seven All-Party Delegations to key partner nations, including members of the UN Security Council, to present a unified front against cross-border terrorism and highlight Pakistan's alleged role in the Pahalgam attack that resulted in 26 fatalities.

These delegations will comprise MPs from various political factions, notable personalities, and senior diplomats.

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has listed Shashi Tharoor (Congress), Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP), Baijayant Panda (BJP), Sanjay Kumar Jha (JDU), Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK), Supriya Sule (NCP-SP), and Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena) as leaders of the delegations.

According to the Ministry, these delegations are set to visit significant partner countries such as the United States, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, South Africa, Egypt, and Japan later this month.