Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
New Delhi, Nov 9 (IANS) The Congress on Sunday distanced itself from party MP Shashi Tharoor’s comments in which he had drawn comparisons between veteran BJP leader LK Advani and late prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi and praised the former deputy prime minister as a ‘true statesman’.
Pawan Khera, Chairman of the Congress Media and Publicity Department, said, “As always, Dr. Shashi Tharoor speaks for himself and the Indian National Congress disassociates itself from his most recent statement.”
“His continuing to do so as a Congress MP and CWC member reflects the essential democratic and liberal spirit unique to the Congress,” he said. However, some party supporters on social media demanded disciplinary action against the former diplomat-turned-politician.
Apart from praising Advani, several Congress leaders had objected to Tharoor’s mention of “blow to China” in reference to Nehru and “Emergency” in reference to Indira Gandhi. China war and emergency are two major political sticks with which BJP often defeats Congress.
Earlier, Tharoor had said on Twitter, “Wishing our 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 trajectory of modern India are indelible. A true statesman whose life of service has been exemplary.”
He also attached an old photograph of himself with Advani, the veteran BJP leader who was the Deputy Prime Minister during 2002-2004.
Later, responding to a social media user’s critical comment about Advani’s Rath Yatra before the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992, Tharoor said: “Reducing his long years of service to an episode, no matter how significant, is unfair. The totality of Nehruji’s career cannot be judged by the China shock, nor can Indira Gandhi’s career be judged by the Emergency alone. I believe that We should show the same courtesy towards Advaniji also.”
This is not the first time that the 69-year-old Thiruvananthapuram MP’s comments have created panic in the Congress. Earlier on one occasion, he had praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his meeting with US President Donald Trump.
Despite uneasiness among his party colleagues over the operation, he was also ready to join the global diplomatic mission launched by PM Modi’s government after Operation Sindoor. Congress had claimed that it has not given the name of the MP for this mission.
The Congress has in the past undertaken several damage-control exercises to compensate for the alleged damage caused by Tharoor’s statements.
–IANS
RCH/VD