Shashi Tharoor is currently campaigning in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

New Delhi:

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said the question of who can replace Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “irrelevant” in the parliamentary system as we do not elect individuals but parties or alliances of parties.

A reporter once again asked me to identify a replacement for Modi.

This question has nothing to do with parliamentary systems. Instead of electing an individual (as in a presidential system), we elect a party or coalition of parties that represents a group of…

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) April 3, 2024

Speaking to X this morning, Mr Tharoor said a reporter asked him this question. “A journalist once again asked me to appoint a person to replace Mr. Modi. This issue has nothing to do with the parliamentary system. We do not elect a person (like the presidential system), but a party or alliance. A political party, which represents a set of principles and belief, invaluable in safeguarding diversity, pluralism and inclusive growth in India,” he wrote.

The Congress leader added: “Mr Modi will be replaced by a group of experienced, capable and diverse Indian leaders who will respond to the problems of the people and not be driven by personal egos.”

He said the choice of prime minister is a “secondary consideration.” Which specific person they will choose to be prime minister is a secondary consideration. Protecting our democracy and diversity comes first,” Mr Tharoor said.

Mr Tharoor, a three-time MP from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, is currently gearing up for his fourth Lok Sabha contest from the same seat. His opponents are BJP leader and Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Left Front candidate Pannyan Ravindran.

Mr. Tharoor has spent the past few weeks campaigning in his constituency for the upcoming elections. Thiruvananthapuram goes to polls in the second phase of Lok Sabha polls on April 26.