Congress Criticizes PM Modi's "Petty" Ramnath Goenka Lecture While Questioning Tharoor's Praise

File photo of PM Narendra Modi and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.

The Congress party on Wednesday expressed criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at the Ramnath Goenka Lecture, describing it as "petty," while questioning senior party leader Shashi Tharoor's positive assessment of the speech.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate remarked that the Prime Minister should have addressed his "issues with fair journalism" and suggested that Modi appears preoccupied with thoughts of the opposition party "day and night." Her comments referenced the Prime Minister's criticisms of Congress during his Monday evening speech.

Shrinate's statement came in response to Tharoor's comments a day earlier, in which he characterized Modi's lecture as both an economic perspective and a cultural call to action.

When speaking to journalists, Shrinate stated: "I found nothing in the speech worthy of appreciation. The Prime Minister needs to address numerous issues. He was participating in an event hosted by a newspaper. He should explain his problem with fair journalism and why he's dissatisfied with those who reveal and speak truth. I saw no reason to commend him."

She further added: "I don't understand how Tharoor found reason to praise it... I considered it a petty speech. The Prime Minister criticized Congress there as well. It's remarkable how the PM thinks about Congress constantly."

In a social media post on X on Tuesday, Tharoor mentioned that he attended the Lecture at the invitation of the organizing newspaper, The Indian Express.

"Attended PM Narendra Modi's Ramnath Goenka Lecture at the invitation of @IndianExpress last night. He spoke of India's 'constructive impatience' for development and strongly pushed for a post-colonial mindset," wrote the Member of Parliament from Thiruvananthapuram on X.

"Overall, the PM's address functioned as both an economic outlook and a cultural call to action, encouraging the nation to be restless for progress. I was pleased to be in attendance despite struggling with a severe cold and cough!" he added.

During the sixth Ramnath Goenka Lecture, PM Modi commented on the Bihar election results, stating they conveyed a clear message to all state governments that their development policies will determine their parties' futures, regardless of whether they are "left, right or centre."

The Prime Minister also responded to those who accuse him and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of constantly being in "election mode," stating that it is being in an "emotional mode" with unwavering commitment to development and people's sentiment around the clock that secures electoral victories for the BJP.

Modi also criticized Congress, arguing that forces supporting Naxalism and Maoist terrorism were declining nationally but gaining influence within the main opposition party.

This is not the first instance where Tharoor has raised eyebrows within Congress through his praise of the Prime Minister or the central government.

Previously, he stated that dynastic politics across the political spectrum presents a "grave threat" to Indian democracy and emphasized that it is time India replaced "dynasty with meritocracy."

The BJP had seized upon Tharoor's comments, describing them as a "very insightful piece" on how Indian politics has become a family enterprise.