Shashi Tharoor Defends His Stance Amid Party Criticism

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has publicly defended his alignment with party principles despite facing criticism from within the Congress party. Speaking at a leadership camp, he addressed concerns about his recent remarks, including praise for BJP leader LK Advani. Tharoor emphasized that his comments were rooted in respect for elders and clarified misunderstandings surrounding his statements about Prime Minister Modi. With a long history in the Congress party, Tharoor expressed confidence in his relationships with colleagues and dismissed speculation about strained ties following his presidential candidacy. Read on to discover more about Tharoor's stance and the reactions it has sparked.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 6, 2026, 11:41 IST

Tharoor Addresses Party Allegations

On Monday, Congress Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor asserted that he has consistently adhered to the party's principles, despite facing backlash from some party members regarding his recent statements.

Tharoor made these comments while interacting with the media after participating in the Lakshya 2026 Leadership Camp, organized by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee in preparation for the upcoming Assembly elections in April.

“Who claims that I have strayed from the party line?” Tharoor questioned. “Even when I voiced my opinions on various issues, I have largely aligned with the party's stance.”

Concerns about his alignment with party leadership arose following Tharoor's commendation of senior BJP leader LK Advani on his birthday, November 8.

Advani played a significant role in the Hindutva movement, particularly during the Ram temple agitation in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was demolished by Hindutva activists on December 6, 1992, leading to widespread communal violence.

After his remarks about Advani sparked controversy, Tharoor defended his position, arguing that it was unjust to reduce Advani's extensive career to a single event, no matter how pivotal. At that time, the Congress party distanced itself from Tharoor's comments.

On Monday, he explained that his praise for Advani stemmed from a cultural respect for elders.

Tharoor also addressed the uproar that followed his remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at the Ramnath Goenka Memorial Lecture in New Delhi on November 18.

The Thiruvananthapuram MP characterized Modi's address as a combination of economic insights and a cultural call to action, encouraging the nation to strive for progress.

At that time, the Congress party expressed its disapproval of Tharoor's praise for the Prime Minister's lecture.

Tharoor clarified that he merely quoted what was said during the event regarding Modi.

“I challenged people to show where I praised him [Modi],” he stated. “If one reads my entire post, it becomes evident that there was no such praise.”

He noted that misunderstandings often arise when media coverage relies solely on headlines without considering the full context.

“When I inquire if people have read my actual words, most have not,” he remarked. “After reviewing the complete text, they grasp the true issue.”

Tharoor emphasized his long-standing association with the Congress party, having been a member for 17 years, and maintained that he enjoys good relationships with his colleagues. “There’s no reason for any sudden misinterpretation now,” he stated.

When questioned about whether speculation regarding his strained relations with the party began after his bid for the Congress presidency, Tharoor responded that internal elections are a part of the party's democratic process.

“I ran and lost,” he concluded. “That chapter is closed. I don’t perceive any ongoing story in it.”