Tharoor’s Cryptic X Post Deepens Rift in Congress
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has once again set off tremors within his party with a cryptic message posted on social media. In a post that many interpret as a response to his recent criticism by the Congress leadership, Tharoor wrote: “Don’t ask permission to fly. The wings are yours. And the sky belongs to no one.” The poetic yet loaded statement comes just days after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge publicly questioned Tharoor’s remarks praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Modi Praise Triggers Party Discomfort
The latest controversy stems from Tharoor’s article lauding Modi’s global diplomacy, where he described the Prime Minister as a “prime asset for India on the global stage” and appreciated his energy and willingness to engage with world leaders. These comments were widely shared, including by official government handles, drawing ire from senior Congress figures who saw it as an implicit endorsement of a political rival.
Kharge had taken aim without naming Tharoor directly, remarking: “We say nation first, but some consider Modi first, country later.” He also hinted that Tharoor’s eloquence in English, more than ideological consistency, explained his inclusion in key party forums.
Bird War on Social Media
In response to Tharoor’s “wings” post, Congress leader Manickam Tagore joined the fray with his own metaphor-filled reply: “Don’t ask permission to fly. Birds don’t need clearance to rise… even a free bird must watch the skies—hawks, vultures, and ‘eagles’ are always hunting. Freedom isn’t free…” The posts, while indirect, have exposed an ongoing internal turf war playing out through cryptic barbs and veiled warnings.
Political Future in Question
This isn’t the first time Tharoor has found himself isolated within the party. He was notably sidelined during the recent Nilambur bypoll campaign, a move seen by many as a snub despite his popularity among local workers. While speculations of a possible switch to the BJP have surfaced repeatedly, Tharoor has denied any such move, insisting that his comments stem from a commitment to national interest, not partisan loyalty.
Asked whether these disagreements would be thrashed out publicly, Tharoor offered a restrained reply: “If there are issues to discuss, they would be discussed privately, and when the time comes, I shall do so.”
As the Congress tries to project a united front ahead of key electoral battles, the deepening cracks within its senior leadership signal a party struggling to reconcile dissent and discipline.
