BJP Seizes on Congress Infighting as Udit Raj Criticizes Shashi Tharoor

NEW DELHI: Internal strife within the Congress party has escalated, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) capitalizing on the discord to question Congress’s commitment to national interest. The controversy stems from Congress MP Udit Raj’s sharp criticism of his colleague Shashi Tharoor, who praised India’s counterterrorism efforts during an international delegation visit. Tharoor’s remarks, highlighting India’s strikes on terror bases across the Line of Control (LoC), drew ire from Raj, who accused him of undermining Congress’s historical contributions to national security.

Tharoor, currently leading an all-party delegation to countries in the Americas as part of India’s global outreach following Operation Sindoor, stated, “We have struck at the Punjabi heartland of Pakistan by hitting terror bases, training centres, and terror headquarters in nine places.” Raj, in response, challenged Tharoor’s narrative, citing India’s military actions in the 1965 and 1971 wars and surgical strikes under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. In a post on X, Raj wrote, “How could you denigrate the golden history of Congress by saying that before PM Modi, India never crossed LoC and the international border?” He further told, “Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has become the super spokesperson of the BJP, speaking in favor of PM Modi and his government.”

BJP leaders swiftly rallied behind Tharoor, using the spat to highlight divisions within Congress. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, in a post on X, condemned Congress, stating, “What does the Congress party want & how much they really care for the country? Should the Indian MPs go to foreign nations and speak against India and its Prime Minister? There’s a limit to political desperation!” BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla echoed this sentiment, alleging that Raj’s attack on Tharoor was orchestrated at the behest of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Poonawalla claimed Tharoor was targeted for prioritizing national interest over party loyalty, framing the conflict as internal sabotage within Congress.

The rift underscores broader tensions within Congress, as Tharoor faces criticism from his party while earning unexpected support from the BJP.