Shashi Tharoor Responds to Congress’ ‘Lakshman Rekha’ Warning: ‘Spoke as an Indian’

Shashi Tharoor Responds to Congress’ ‘Lakshman Rekha’ Warning: On Thursday, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor stated that as a citizen of this country he himself supported the BJP-led central government’s Operation Sindoor, and was not acting as a spokesperson for his party, this after news reports emerged that senior leaders in his party were disappointed in Tharoor based on the fact that they felt he crossed a 'Lakshman Rekha'.

Tharoor said, "At this time, at a time of conflict, I spoke as an Indian. I never pretended to speak for anyone else. I am not a spokesperson for the party. I am not the government spokesperson. Whatever I have said, you may agree or disagree with that, blame it on me individually, and that's fine."

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Tharoor stated he was giving his own impressions at a time when everyone should put aside their party affiliation, and rally together as Indians - especially from a combined international standpoint – in support of their Prime Minister on a relevant world issue.

He said, “I made it very clear that I am expressing my personal views. It was really a contribution to the national discourse, at a time when it was very important for us to rally around the flag, especially internationally. There was a relative lack of our point of view being heard, particularly in the US, Europe, and the Middle East.”

Asked if reports suggest that top leaders of the party have expressed disappointment in his remarks, he said, “People are entirely free to reject my point of view. I have received no communication from the party; all I am seeing is media reports.”

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The Congress Working Committee, came out on Wednesday had said members should abide by the party line and should not express individual views.

"We are a democratic party and people keep expressing their opinions, but this time, Tharoor has crossed the lakshman rekha," a senior party leader was quoted saying as per news agency PTI.

Congress’ general communications secretary Jairam Ramesh somehow worked Tharoor’s comments into a media briefing and said, "That is his opinion. When Mr. Tharoor speaks, it is his view and it is not the stand of the party."

Tharoor slammed US President Donald Trump over his comments claiming credit for India's Pakistan ceasefire, ironic, given that the Congress party has been making a stink about PM Modi, for antics about Trump's comments.

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