Shashi Tharoor Advocates for Cross-Party Cooperation Despite Facing Criticism for Neutral Comments on PM Modi's Speech

Shashi Tharoor was present at a private Delhi event where Prime Minister Modi delivered a speech.

In Dubai at a media gathering, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor offered a pragmatic perspective on cross-party collaboration in India's federal structure. He emphasized the necessity for political opponents to work together despite ideological differences to effectively serve their constituencies.

Tharoor expressed concern about the current political climate where "everybody has to be a purist, ideologically, and will not see any merit on the other side or talk to anybody on the other side." He argued that such rigid positions prevent progress, stating, "People are only interested in 'ideological purity'... but you can't get things done that way."

Addressing the practical challenges of governance, he questioned, "Somebody won the election and formed the government. You won in your state and formed the government. But if you won't cooperate with the centre, how will you get anything done?"

To illustrate his point, Tharoor referenced criticism he received after commenting on Prime Minister Modi's recent speech. His neutral post describing the address as "an economic outlook and a cultural call to action" attracted backlash from party colleagues who interpreted it as praise for the Prime Minister.

"Even a neutral post by me on a speech by the PM has been attacked as praising him. But I didn't say a single word of praise," Tharoor clarified, appearing confused by the reaction. "I just described the speech... The point is – this is the kind of atmosphere in our country right now."

Two Congress representatives, Supriya Shrinate and Sandeep Dikshit, criticized the Prime Minister's speech and questioned Tharoor's comments. Dikshit went as far as suggesting Tharoor should leave Congress if he found the PM's speech impressive – a suggestion Tharoor has consistently rejected.

The former diplomat's relationship with Congress leadership appears strained following multiple instances where his comments seemed to appreciate actions by Prime Minister Modi and the BJP. These include his remarks about the handling of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent military response against Pakistan.

His article titled "Indian Politics Are a Family Business" – critiquing family-dominated parties like Congress – further complicated his party standing. The BJP seized this opportunity to criticize Congress and the Gandhi family's influence within the party.

Tharoor has consistently maintained that his comments reflect only his commitment to India's best interests. In June, he stated, "It (praise for the Prime Minister) is not a sign of my leaping to join his party... It is a statement of national unity..."

In Dubai, he clarified his position: "Yes, I disagree with the ruling party... but they are the ruling party. They have a mandate and I will work with them. If they come up with a scheme which will give the state money, I will discuss it within the framework of my convictions, so I can take it for my state. That kind of cooperation is essential."

The tensions between Tharoor and Congress leadership have been escalating since mid-2022, when he participated in a group of Congress leaders who requested leadership changes following a series of electoral defeats. Although the group eventually disbanded, Tharoor later contested the Congress President election, losing to Gandhi loyalist Mallikarjun Kharge.

When questioned by NDTV in June 2025 about his relationship with Congress, Tharoor emphasized his 16 years of loyalty to the party and its ideology.