Congress Distances Itself from Shashi Tharoor’s Remarks Praising L.K. Advani, Says “He Speaks for Himself”

Delhi: The Congress party on Sunday moved swiftly to distance itself from remarks made by senior leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, who had recently praised former deputy prime minister Lal Krishna Advani on his 98th birthday. The party clarified that Tharoor’s comments were his personal views and did not reflect the official position of the Indian National Congress.

“Like always, Dr. Shashi Tharoor speaks for himself, and the Indian National Congress outrightly dissociates itself from his most recent statement,” Congress media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “That he continues to do so as a Congress MP and CWC member reflects the essential democratic and liberal spirit unique to INC,” Khera added, underscoring the party’s internal tolerance for diverse opinions.

Tharoor had shared a photograph with Advani on X on Saturday, lauding the veteran BJP leader’s contribution to Indian politics and describing him as someone who “played a significant role in shaping modern India.” When lawyer Sanjay Hegde criticised Advani’s legacy, Tharoor defended his stance, saying the BJP stalwart’s long public career should not be reduced to the Ram Rath Yatra alone. “Reducing his long years of service to one episode, however significant, is also unfair. The totality of Nehruji’s career cannot be judged by the China setback, nor Indira Gandhi’s by the Emergency alone. The same courtesy should be extended to Advani,” Tharoor wrote.

L.K. Advani, who was honoured with the Bharat Ratna earlier this year, remains a pivotal figure in the BJP’s ideological journey. His 1990 Rath Yatra, which became the driving force behind the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, is seen by many as a turning point in Indian politics. However, it also drew criticism for inflaming communal tensions leading up to the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992.

This is not the first time Tharoor’s statements have caused unease within his party. Known for his outspoken views, he has often stirred internal debate with his independent political positions. Recently, Tharoor remarked that dynastic politics posed a “grave threat” to Indian democracy, saying the nation must trade “dynasty for meritocracy.” His comments provided ammunition for the BJP to target the Congress, though Tharoor maintained that political dynasties exist across parties and are deeply embedded in India’s political culture.