Shashi Tharoor Praises Trump-Mamdani Meeting as Democratic Model: BJP Seizes Opportunity

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has commended US President Donald Trump's White House meeting with newly elected New York mayor Zohran Mamdani, highlighting it as an exemplary display of democratic principles despite their fierce campaign rhetoric. Tharoor emphasized the importance of post-election cooperation, drawing lessons from their Friday encounter.

The Thiruvananthapuram MP, whose recent opinions have created tension within Congress, shared video footage of the American leaders' interaction and expressed his desire to witness similar collaborative approaches in Indian politics.

"This is how democracy should work. Fight passionately for your point of view in elections, with no rhetorical holds barred. But once it's over, & the people have spoken, learn to cooperate with each other in the common interests of the nation you are both pledged to serve. I would love to see more of this in India - and am trying to do my part," Tharoor posted on his X account.

In the shared clip, when a journalist asked Mamdani if he still considered Trump a "fascist," the President interjected before Mamdani could respond, stating he wasn't bothered by such characterizations.

BJP representatives lauded Tharoor's commentary while criticizing Congress leadership. Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala suggested that through this "cryptic" statement, Tharoor was reminding his party colleagues to prioritize national interests over Gandhi family considerations.

"Once again, Dr Tharoor has chosen to remind Congress that they should put national interests above family interests and should serve and behave democratically rather than behave like sore losers," Poonawala remarked in a video statement.

He observed that Congress typically contests election results after defeats, and Tharoor appeared to be suggesting that opposing parties should unite for national causes post-elections. Poonawala questioned whether Rahul Gandhi would comprehend this message, suggesting the Congress might issue "another fatwa" against the former diplomat.

"Perhaps this is a real cryptic message to Congress that it must get out of its emergency mindset and behave like a mature opposition. But will Rahul Gandhi get the message? No, he might in fact get another fatwa issued against Dr Tharoor," Poonawala added.

Tharoor has increasingly emerged as a dissenting voice within Congress. Previously, he faced criticism from party colleagues for praising BJP veteran LK Advani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Just days ago, he commended PM Modi's Ramnath Goenka lecture, provoking a fellow Congress member to question why he remained in the party if he believed BJP strategies were superior.

Recently, Tharoor authored an article critiquing dynastic politics for impeding meritocracy, specifically mentioning the Gandhi-Nehru family as an example while omitting BJP references. Dynastic politics has been one of BJP's primary criticisms against Congress.