Loyal To Congress For 16 Years, Differences Can Be Discussed: Shashi Tharoor

Congress’s Shashi Tharoor, whose difference of opinion with many of his party leaders over multiple issues has been highlighted in the media over the recent months, played it down today, saying he has been “loyal to the Congress for 16 years and if there are any differences, they can be sorted “behind closed doors” with the people concerned. 

If there are “differences of opinion it is only with only some elements of leadership… but this is hardly the time to discuss such matters,” he told NDTV in an exclusive interview.

If there are any differences, it should be discussed behind closed doors with the people concerned and that is where I want to leave it,” he added.

The government’s move to pick Mr Tharoor as part of its outreach programme to multiple nations on Operation Sindoor had peeved his party. Since his return, there has been another controversy over campaigning for a by-election in Kerala. 

Reports said that Mr Tharoor had not campaigned for the party candidate in Nilambur because, by his own admission, he had not been invited.

“It was a response to a Malayalam question… I said I wished the Congress candidate well. I wish him all success. He is a friend of mine. In fact, as far as I am concerned there is no doubt that the hard work of Congress workers deserve the reward of victory,” Mr Tharoor told NDTV today, underscoring that he did campaign for the candidate.