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Udit Raj Calls Shashi Tharoor BJP’s “Super Spokesperson”
Congress leader Udit Raj triggered a fresh controversy within his party by branding fellow Congress MP Shashi Tharoor as a “super spokesperson of BJP.” The criticism followed Tharoor’s remarks during a visit to Panama, where he lauded the Modi government’s response to terrorism, specifically in relation to Operation Sindoor. Raj claimed that Tharoor was “doing the job of BJP spokespersons better than them,” and questioned his allegiance to Congress values.
The sharp comment reflects underlying tensions in the Congress party, where divergent views on national security and political messaging often surface in public debates.
Tharoor’s Defence of India’s Strike Doctrine
During his Panama address, Tharoor remarked that India’s policy toward terrorism had shifted significantly since 2016, and that the country had now made it clear that terror attacks would be met with consequences. Referring to the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, he said the response under Modi’s government had established a “new normal.”
Though his comments did not explicitly name the BJP, Tharoor’s framing was seen by many in his party as overt praise for the government’s handling of national security, triggering discomfort among Congress veterans and current office-bearers.
Congress Attempts Course Correction
Reacting to Tharoor’s comments, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera posted a video clip of former PM Manmohan Singh asserting India’s military restraint while underscoring that strikes also occurred under the UPA, albeit without publicity. The party emphasized that counter-terror actions were not exclusive to the BJP era and that publicising such operations risked politicizing national security.
The leadership is reportedly uneasy with Tharoor’s framing, fearing it plays into BJP’s narrative on military decisiveness and weakens the Congress position on strategic affairs.
Fault Lines Within the Congress
The episode highlights internal discord within the Congress on how to frame national security discourse. Tharoor, often known for his independent views, has previously courted controversy for statements that diverge from the party line. Udit Raj’s public rebuke may further deepen ideological fissures ahead of key political contests.
With the BJP continuing to project military strength as a key electoral theme, Congress’s internal cohesion on how to respond to such issues remains under scrutiny. Whether the party reins in such public contradictions or continues to allow divergent messaging could shape its credibility on national security in future campaigns.
