Congress Distances Itself from Shashi Tharoor's Praise for BJP's LK Advani

The Congress party officially distanced itself from Shashi Tharoor's comments praising BJP veteran LK Advani on Sunday, emphasizing that Tharoor speaks only for himself.

The controversy began when Tharoor extended birthday wishes to the BJP stalwart and subsequently defended him against criticism. Tharoor argued that it was unfair to reduce Advani's decades of public service to a single episode, "however significant" that might be.

Congress media and publicity department head Pawan Khera responded on X: "Like always, Dr. Shashi Tharoor speaks for himself and the Indian National Congress outrightly dissociates itself from his most recent statement." Khera added that Tharoor's continued role as a Congress MP and Congress Working Committee member "reflects the essential democratic and liberal spirit unique to INC."

Advani, who has retired from public life, received the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, earlier this year.

The situation unfolded when LK Advani, former Deputy Prime Minister under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, turned 98 this week. Tharoor was among those who conveyed birthday wishes on Saturday.

"Wishing the venerable Shri L.K. Advani a very happy 98th birthday! His unwavering commitment to public service, his modesty & decency, and his role in shaping the trajectory of modern India are indelible," Tharoor wrote on X.

This represents the latest in a series of comments from Tharoor that have created discomfort within Congress leadership and upset many of his colleagues, particularly as the ruling BJP has repeatedly targeted the Gandhi family.

Prominent lawyer Sanjay Hedge pointed out the irony in the Congress MP's post, stating: "Sorry Mr Tharoor, unleashing the 'dragon seeds of hatred' (to quote Kushwant Singh) in this country is NOT public service." Hedge's comment referenced Advani's role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.

In the period leading to the Babri Masjid demolition in Ayodhya, Advani conducted Rath Yatras across India advocating for a Ram temple at the mosque site—a campaign that propelled the BJP to national prominence.

A special CBI court in Lucknow acquitted LK Advani of conspiracy charges related to the Babri Masjid demolition in 2020.

Defending his position, Tharoor cited examples from his own party: "The totality of Jawaharlal Nehru's career cannot be judged by the China setback and Indira Gandhi's by the Emergency alone," arguing that "we should extend the same courtesy to Advaniji."

Earlier this week, in an article for Project Syndicate titled "Indian Politics Are a Family Business," Tharoor wrote that "it is high time India traded dynasty for meritocracy." Having unsuccessfully contested for the Congress party presidency, he stated that dynastic politics across the political spectrum poses 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," he wrote.

The BJP seized this opportunity to criticize Congress, suggesting the article expressed Tharoor's "disappointment with Rahul Gandhi." BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, formerly with Congress, said Tharoor has become "khatron ke khiladi"—one who plays with danger.

Congress MP Udit Raj countered that "dynastic influence" extends beyond politics: "A dynastic approach exists in almost every sector in India, a doctor's son becomes a doctor, a businessman's child continues in business, and politics is no exception... From Nehru to Pawar, DMK to Mamata... there are many such examples... The loss is that opportunities remain confined to families alone. Dynastic influence is not limited to politics. It extends to the bureaucracy, judiciary, and even the film industry."

Earlier this year, Tharoor described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "undoubtedly the most dominant political figure in the country," adding that Modi's personal appeal remained strong among large sections of the electorate. This comment drew criticism from within Congress, with some leaders questioning the timing and political implications of such statements.