Cong livid as govt ignores its list for foreign outreach, picks Tharoor | India News

Congress chief Shashi Thaoor

NEW DELHI: On the day the Centre formally introduced the composition of seven delegations of MPs to be despatched to numerous international locations to articulate India’s stance towards terrorism and spotlight ‘Operation Sindoor’, a row erupted Saturday over govt ignoring Congress’s suggestions on who needs to be included from its ranks and, as an alternative, selecting Shashi Tharoor — whom the social gathering didn’t title — to go one of many delegations.Angry on the Centre naming Tharoor and never together with three of 4 MPs it had advisable — Gaurav Gogoi, Syed Naseer Hussain and Raja Warring — Congress slammed the Modi govt for taking part in video games” on a delicate concern, and urged it to not politicise the delegations. From Congress’s list, solely Anand Sharma has been picked.Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh stated social gathering MPs included “at the instance of the Modi govt will, of course, go with the delegations and make their contributions”. He added, “INC will…not play partisan politics on national security issues, like BJP does.”

Sparing earlier than present of unity

For Congress, Tharoor is a nettlesome drawbackHaving been shocked by the Left the final time when Pinarayi Vijayan returned to workplace defying the state’s custom of ejecting incumbent govts, Congress this time wish to consolidate its leaders to have the ability to put up a severe problem as the main opposition. Support for Shashi Tharoor amongst some UDF allies may deter Congress.Recent occasions have been marked by a rising gulf between the restive MP and Congress, and the recent confrontation might be the purpose the place the social gathering and Tharoor might need to take a name on their relationship — both Congress swallows its delight and accommodates its star MP or the latter chooses to interrupt free. In between, there exists risk of Tharoor being an remoted member throughout the social gathering: one thing that the Thiruvananthapuram MP will need to have factored in earlier than he justified his reward for ‘Operation Sindoor’ by saying it was patriotic factor to do.On Saturday, no sooner had govt launched names of seven MPs main world outreach on ‘Operation Sindoor’, which included Tharoor, than Congress launched its list of 4 nominees submitted to the govt for the delegations that didn’t embody Tharoor. The Thiruvananthapuram MP, nonetheless, went forward by asserting that he was honoured to be main the delegation, and that he would “not be found wanting” when summoned in nationwide curiosity. Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh addressed the event with a jibe, “there is a difference in being in Congress and being of Congress”.It is ironic that the rumblings got here barely a month after Tharoor took the central stage on the AICC session in Ahmedabad, the place he was the primary speaker on the political decision launched by Sachin Pilot. But some felt it was not so ironic in any case as a result of Tharoor in his temporary speech had urged the social gathering to be one among positivity and hope, and of options and never simply counting issues, in what might be seen as an recommendation to be prudent in choosing battles towards PM Narendra Modi and his social gathering, BJP.If it involves a breaking level after Tharoor having referred to as his help for the govt determination over the social gathering’s as “national interest”, Congress would bear in mind that BJP would use it to color the arch rival in a unfavorable mild. Clearly, Congress has a nettlesome drawback on its arms.Cong has powerful name to take as rift with MP widensCongress MP Shashi Tharoor’s acceptance of the govt nomination to steer a world outreach crew, coming shut on the heels of his feedback concerning the battle with Pakistan, together with a defence of Modi govt on the Pahalgam assault, and complaints on the Congress Working Committee assembly that he was straying from the social gathering line, tantamount to daring the social gathering, if not defying it.Congress has loads to mull whereas deciding about Tharoor, essential being the upcoming elections in Kerala the place it’s going through a troublesome problem from the ruling Left entrance as properly as from BJP’s bid to chop into Congress’s vote financial institution.‘Jealousy?’ BJP asks why Cong didn’t choose TharoorIn a democratic system, when particular person MPs are despatched on an official delegation, MPs ought to search the concurrence of the social gathering,” Jairam Ramesh stated, calling it “dishonest” and “downright mischievous” for the govt to request nominees after presumably deciding them on its personal.However, its protest misplaced the sting with Tharoor gladly accepting the nomination. Formerly a senior functionary with the UN, Tharoor has additionally served as junior exterior affairs minister and was advisable by Congress final 12 months to go the standing committee on foreign affairs. “It is an honour,” he stated, including that the problem concerned nationwide curiosity and shouldn’t be seen by the prism of partisan politics.Significantly,Congress’s companions in INDIA alliance — DMK’s Kanimozhi and NCP’s Supriya Sule — didn’t flip down invites to be a part of the delegations. Other delegations will likely be led by Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP), Sanjay Jha (JDU), Shrikant Shinde (Shiv Sena) and Baijayant Panda (BJP).Govt had on Friday rejected Congress’s declare that it had the only real prerogative of deciding who from the social gathering needs to be a part of the delegations. “This has not to do with party politics,” minister for parliamentary affairs Kiren Rijiju is learnt to have informed the Congress management, sources stated.Congress’s stand drew an offended response from BJP. “ Congress choices to represent India at diplomatic meetings are not just intriguing — they are deeply questionable. Take, for instance, the inclusion of Syed Naseer Hussain. Let’s not forget — it was his supporter who raised ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans inside the Vidhana Soudha while celebrating his Rajya Sabha victory. Bengaluru police arrested three individuals in connection with the incident…,” Amit Malviya, head of social gathering’s IT cell, stated on X. He added “the less said about Gaurav Gogoi, the better”, mentioning that the deputy chief of Congress in LS had spent 15 days in Pakistan, together with his departure and arrival duly logged on the Attari crossing.Malviya additionally stated, “No one can deny Shashi Tharoor’s eloquence, his long experience as a UN official, and his deep insights on matters of foreign policy. So why has the Congress Party — and Rahul Gandhi in particular — chosen not to nominate him. Is it insecurity? Jealousy? Or simply intolerance of anyone who outshines the ‘high command’?”Tewari’s title in outreach groups list is also a problem for CongressAfter Shashi Tharoor, Congress might face extra problem if Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari is included within the all-party delegations which can be to go to some foreign international locations as a part of govt’s world outreach on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Sources near Tewari stated, “If the MP’s name is included in the all-party delegations, he will surely rise to the occasion to serve his nation and go with the delegation.”Meanwhile, former Union minister Anand Sharma has acquired a name from govt that he could be within the delegation. He is among the 4 names advisable by Congress. Sharma stated, “I received a call from minister (Kiren) Rijiju and I have accepted it as the nominee of Congress.”It is learnt that former minister Salman Khurshid is prone to again out if he figures within the closing list. The fourth Congress chief that govt contacted, Punjab MP Amar Singh, may skip. Neither of the 4 from Congress that govt contacted are within the shortlist that Rahul Gandhi has submitted to Union minister Kiren Rijiju.