Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Thiruvananthapuram, November 14 (IANS) Senior Congress leader MM Hassan on Friday launched a scathing attack on senior party leader Shashi Tharoor and accused him of repeatedly weakening the party leadership.
Speaking at the Nehru Award presentation ceremony organized by the Nehru Centre, Hasan alleged that Tharoor was “oiling his head without looking at what he is doing”, a Malayalam idiom meaning reckless behaviour.
Hasan said that Tharoor’s political rise was possible only because of the “generosity and trust of the Nehru family”, yet he chose to undermine him while he was a member of the Congress Working Committee.
“If he had even the slightest decency, he should have resigned from the working committee before making such statements,” he said.
Hasan said he felt compelled to speak because today is Jawaharlal Nehru’s birth anniversary.
He criticized Tharoor as someone who “has not shed even a drop of sweat for the country or the society”, accusing him of praising senior BJP leader LK Advani while portraying Congress leaders unfavorably.
This award was given to G. Awarded to Sudhakaran.
Hasan’s comments come in the backdrop of earlier instances where Tharoor’s comments had sparked discontent within the party.
Over the past few years, several of Tharoor’s public statements – often interpreted as favoring BJP leaders or criticizing Congress tactics – have created internal unease.
His acknowledgment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s communication skills, periodic praise for policy initiatives and previous comments describing Modi as “full of energy” during a meeting had been criticized by a section of Congress leaders.
Similarly, his open praise for L. K. Advani as a “patriot” had already given rise to objections within the organization, with leaders accusing him of giving political legitimacy to the BJP’s ideological symbols.
Tharoor’s willingness to express dissent on issues ranging from organizational reforms to electoral strategies has also been seen by many as inconsistent with the party line.
Hassan’s latest outburst underlines the continuing friction between Tharoor and some sections of the Kerala Congress leadership, as the party attempts to show unity ahead of upcoming election challenges.
–IANS
sg/red