"You Know What Happened To Me": BJP Leader Warns Shashi Tharoor Over Critique of Dynastic Politics in India

Shashi Tharoor's article titled 'Indian Politics Are a Family Business' has ignited a significant controversy across political circles.

New Delhi:

Congress veteran Shashi Tharoor's critical analysis of dynastic politics in India has earned both praise and caution from BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, a former Congress member. Poonawalla referred to Tharoor as "khatron ke khiladi" - one who courts danger - and expressed concern for the Thiruvananthapuram MP, suggesting that "the first family is very vengeful," in an apparent reference to the Gandhi family.

The controversy stems from Tharoor's article published in Project Syndicate, which examines dynasty-driven political parties across India, including the Congress, Samajwadi Party, DMK, Trinamool Congress, and National Conference.

In his piece, Tharoor writes: "Dynastic politics pose a grave threat to Indian democracy. When political power is determined by lineage, rather than ability, commitment, or grassroots engagement, the quality of governance suffers. Drawing from a smaller talent pool is never advantageous, but it is especially problematic when candidates' main qualification is their surname. In fact, given that members of political dynasties are likely to be insulated from the challenges faced by ordinary people, they are often particularly ill-equipped to respond effectively to their constituents' needs. Yet there is no guarantee that they will be held accountable for poor performance."

Tharoor advocates that "it is high time India traded dynasty for meritocracy," calling for fundamental reforms including legally mandated term limits and meaningful internal party elections, alongside voter education to empower citizens to select leaders based on merit rather than lineage. He concludes that as long as Indian politics remain dominated by family enterprises, the true promise of democracy cannot be fully realized.

Poonawalla described Tharoor's article as "very insightful" while questioning what repercussions might follow. He noted that Tharoor had previously faced criticism for his stance on Operation Sindoor and the "surrender narrative" regarding Rahul Gandhi. Poonawalla, who left Congress in 2017 after calling its organizational polls a "sham," wrote on social media: "Dr Tharoor has become Khatron ke Khiladi. He has directly called out Nepo Kids or Nawabs of Nepotism. Sir when I called out Nepo Naamdar Rahul Gandhi in 2017 - you know what happened to me. Sir praying for you… First family is very vengeful."

This article likely exacerbates tensions between Tharoor and the Congress leadership. The four-term Thiruvananthapuram MP unsuccessfully contested against Mallikarjun Kharge for the Congress presidency and was part of the "G-23" group that pushed for substantial party reforms in 2022. His comments following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor further strained relations with party leadership.

Despite Congress not recommending him, the government selected Tharoor to lead an Indian delegation abroad to communicate New Delhi's position on terrorism, during which Congress leaders continued to criticize him.

Congress leaders have responded strongly to Tharoor's article. Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari defended the Gandhi family, stating: "Leadership always comes from merit. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was the most capable Prime Minister of this country... Indira Gandhi proved herself by sacrificing her life. Rajiv Gandhi served this country by sacrificing his life. So, if someone talks about the Gandhi family as a dynasty, then which other family in India had the sacrifice, dedication, and ability that this family possessed? Was it BJP?"