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New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s birthday wishes for senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani have sparked a political controversy as the Congress party has publicly distanced itself from his comments and described them as “personal”.
On Sunday, the Congress clarified that Tharoor’s comments were made in his personal capacity and did not represent the party’s official stand. The controversy began when Tharoor posted a birthday wish for Advani and later defended his remarks when criticized by a section within his party.
The Thiruvananthapuram MP said it was unfair to limit Advani’s decades-long political career to one controversial episode.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, BJP accused Congress of attacking its own leaders for speaking the truth.
Speaking to IANS, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said, “We all know that respected Lal Krishna Advani is not just a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, but a veteran leader of Indian politics. Through his humility, decency and clean politics, he has made a place in the hearts of the people, which Shashi Tharoor has also mentioned in his post.”
“However, Congress always questions its honest leaders. Now, Congress has also questioned Tharoor as some criticism of Tharoor’s statement praising Advani was expected,” he said.
Maharashtra BJP MLA Ram Kadam also hit out at the Congress, saying the party was “unable to move beyond its petty thinking”.
Kadam told IANS, “Shashi Tharoor is an intellectual MP and his personality is beyond politics. Lal Krishna Advani is an honorable and respectable person, who has dedicated his life to the service of India and has held many top positions. If Tharoor wants him personally, then why is the Congress irritated? The party is not able to come out of its narrow-mindedness and because of this limited mindset, many senior leaders have left the Congress.”
Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput reiterated the party’s stand on the issue, saying anyone is free to offer personal greetings, but Tharoor’s comments do not represent the Congress.
“Anyone is free to congratulate anyone personally. If he does so, it is his personal matter and any political comment on it is inappropriate. Shashi Tharoor’s views are his own and do not represent those of the Congress,” Rajput told IANS.
Samajwadi Party spokesperson Dharmendra Singh also said that Tharoor has the right to express his personal opinion.
Singh said, “Whatever Shashi Tharoor is saying has nothing to do with any political party. This is his personal opinion. He is free to express his views.”
Advani turned 98 on 8 November.
Tharoor had posted on X: “Wishing Respected Shri LK Advani a very happy 98th birthday! His unwavering commitment to public service, his humility and decency and his role in shaping the path of modern India are indelible.”
Soon after, senior Congress leader Pawan Kheda addressed
Khera said that Tharoor’s continuation as a Congress MP and member of the Congress Working Committee “reflects the essential democratic and liberal spirit unique to the Indian National Congress”.
–IANS
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