Shashi Tharoor’s Selfie With Piyush Goyal Sparks Buzz Amid Congress Rift

Summary: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s latest post featuring Union Minister Piyush Goyal fuels speculation over his ties with the party. The post follows controversy over his praise for Kerala’s LDF government.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s recent social media post featuring Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and British Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has intensified discussions about his position within the party, especially following his commendation of Kerala’s CPM-led government’s policies.

On Tuesday morning, Shashi Tharoor, the four-time Member of Parliament from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, shared a photograph on X (formerly Twitter). In the image, Tharoor stands alongside India’s Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal and Britain’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds. All three are seen smiling, suggesting a cordial interaction.

Tharoor captioned the photo: “Good to exchange words with Jonathan Reynolds, Britain’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in the company of his Indian counterpart, Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal. The long-stalled FTA negotiations have been revived, which is most welcome.”

This post comes on the heels of apparent strains between Tharoor and the Congress party, primarily due to his recent praise of the entrepreneurial growth in Kerala under the state’s ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist). The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) serves as the principal opposition in Kerala.

The party’s official publication, Veekshanam Daily, criticized Tharoor for his positive remarks about the LDF government’s initiatives. The editorial described his comments as “suicidal,” emphasizing that such statements could undermine the Congress party’s internal cohesion, especially when it is actively critiquing the LDF’s governance.

The controversy began when Tharoor authored an article in an English daily, highlighting certain developmental achievements in Kerala. He later clarified that his intention was not to laud the CPM but to shed light on Kerala’s advancements in the startup sector.

Adding to the intra-party friction, Tharoor previously commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This occurred after former U.S. President Donald Trump referred to Modi as a “much tougher negotiator.” Tharoor remarked, “To hear a man like Donald Trump, whose Defense Secretary called him ‘the greatest negotiator in the world,’ announcing the Indian Prime Minister is a better negotiator… that sounds like something Mr. Modi can put in the bank, that sounds very good.”

In response to criticisms, Tharoor stated that his comments were made with India’s national interests in mind. He emphasized, “We cannot always speak only in terms of the party’s interest.”

Despite the swirling speculations about a potential rift between him and the Congress leadership, Tharoor, when questioned by reporters on Sunday about the state of his relationship with the party, chose to remain tight-lipped. He responded with “no comments at all” and diverted attention to the ongoing India-Pakistan cricket match.

Shashi Tharoor’s political journey has been marked by his articulate demeanor and independent viewpoints. Born on March 9, 1956, in London, he embarked on a distinguished career with the United Nations, culminating in his role as Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information. Transitioning to Indian politics, Tharoor joined the Indian National Congress in 2008 and has since been elected as the MP for Thiruvananthapuram in four consecutive terms: 2009, 2014, 2019, and 2024. Within the Congress, he has held significant positions, including serving as the Minister of State for External Affairs and Human Resource Development during the UPA government. In 2022, he contested for the party’s presidential position but was defeated by Mallikarjun Kharge. As of September 2024, Tharoor serves as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs.

Beyond his political engagements, Tharoor is a prolific author, with over twenty books to his name, spanning both fiction and non-fiction. His literary contributions have earned him accolades, including the Sahitya Akademi Award. Known for his eloquence in the English language, Tharoor was once the most followed Indian on Twitter, a position now held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The recent events underscore the delicate balance politicians like Tharoor navigate between personal convictions and party lines. As the political landscape in Kerala and the broader national context continue to evolve, it remains to be seen how Tharoor’s candidness will influence his standing within the Congress party and his rapport with its leadership.

In conclusion, Shashi Tharoor’s recent interactions and statements highlight the complexities inherent in Indian politics, where individual perspectives can sometimes clash with party ideologies. His future actions and the party’s responses will be pivotal in determining the trajectory of his political career and his role within the Congress framework.

Last Updated on: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 10:24 am by Indian News Journal Team | Published by: Indian News Journal Team on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 10:24 am | News Categories: News

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