‘Insecurity, Jealousy’: BJP Hits Back At Congress After Govt Picks Tharoor Over Gogoi In Diplomatic Delegation

The BJP questioned Congress's decision to include Shashi Tharoor in a diplomatic delegation, given he wasn't on the party's initial recommendation list.

Hours after naming Congress leader Shashi Tharoor as part of its delegation for its mega diplomatic outreach, the saffron brigade has questioned the Grand Old Party about the Kerala leader's position within his own party. On Saturday, the central government named Tharoor as the leader of the US delegation that will be part of the diplomatic outreach programme over the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and India's retaliation against the terror camps in Pakistan.

The latest row between the parties erupted after it came to light that Tharoor was not included in the list of recommendations given by the Congress for the diplomatic outreach. Congress' General Secretary Jairam Ramesh admitted that Rahul Gandhi had submitted the official list to the Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, and it did not have the name of Shashi Tharoor.

Amit Malviya, the BJP spokesperson, questioned Congress' decision to not nominate Tharoor for the multi-party delegations sent abroad to explain India's position on key issues.

"No one can deny Shashi Tharoor's eloquence, his long experience as a United Nations 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 for the multi-party delegations being sent abroad to explain India's position on key issues?" asked Malviya. "Is it insecurity? Jealousy? Or simply intolerance of anyone who outshines the 'high command'?"

"The Congress party neither trusts the people of the country, nor the foreign policy, nor its own MPs. Shashi Tharoor is a well-known name worldwide and has served for many years at the UN General Assembly. If he has been made the head of the delegation, Congress should be happy. Yet, some Congress members are criticizing him, which is very unfortunate," said BJP National Spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain on Congress not proposing MP Shashi Tharoor for India's global outreach delegation.

Later, Ramesh issued a rejoinder and stated that it is possible that Rijiju spoke with Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.

"It is possible that Mr Rijiju spoke to Mr Kharge and Mr Gandhi after the government had made up its mind. There is no rift in the party; the party is one. There was no discussion on any individual's name when Mr Rijiju called Mr Kharge and Mr Gandhi. There was no suggestion on A, B, C or D," Ramesh said.

Tharoor is a senior politician from the Congress party and chairs the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs. He has been named by the centre to head one of seven all-party delegations set to visit key global capitals.

In a post on X, Tharoor wrote, "I am honoured by the invitation of the government of India to lead an all-party delegation to five key capitals, to present our nation’s point of view on recent events. When national interest is involved, and my services are required, I will not be found wanting. Jai Hind!".