New Delhi: Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit asked Shashi Tharoor to explain why he is continuing in Congress if he believes that ‘the BJP or PM Modi's strategies are working better than the party you are in’
Dikshit, son of former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, came down on Thiruvananthapuram MP following the latter’s praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Ramnath Goenka Lecture, which Tharoor attended at the invitation of The Indian Express.
‘Shashi Tharoor's problem is that I don't think he knows a lot about the country. If according to you, someone is doing good for the country by going against the Congress' policies, then you should follow their policies. Why are you in the Congress? Is it only because you are an MP?’ Dikshit said.
Adding further he asked why Tharoor is continuing in the Congress if he believes that ‘the BJP or PM Modi's strategies are working better than the party you are in, then you should give an explanation. If you cannot give one, you are a hypocrite’.
In a post on X Tuesday, Shashi Tharoor said at the Ramnath Goenka Lecture PM Modi spoke of India's 'constructive impatience' for development, alongside strongly calling for ‘post-colonial mindset’.
‘Attended PM Narendra Modi's Ramnath Goenka Lecture at the invitation of @IndianExpress last night. He spoke of India's 'constructive impatience' for development and strongly pushed for a post-colonial mindset,’ the Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram said on X.
‘On the whole, the PM's address served as both an economic outlook and a cultural call to action, urging the nation to be restless for progress. Glad to have been in the audience despite battling a bad cold and cough!’ Tharoor added.
Following Tharoor’s remarks, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said she did not find anything in PM Modi’s speech worth appreciating.
‘I think the PM must answer a lot of things. He was attending an event organised by a newspaper. He should tell us what his problem is with fair journalism. He should have told us why he is not happy with those who show and speak truth...So, I didn't see any reason to appreciate him,’ she reportedly said.
Referencing the Bihar polls PM Modi said that outcome of the polls sent message to all governments that developmental policies would determine the future of parties no matter they belong to ‘left, right or centre’.
Tharoor praise for PM Modi’s speech follows his criticism of dynastic politics across parties posing a ‘grave threat’ to Indian democracy, adding that it is high time India traded ‘dynasty for meritocracy’.
The BJP was quick to respond to Tharoor’s speech calling it ‘very insightful piece’ on politics becoming a family business.