Tharoor’s ‘don’t need permission’ reply to Kharge’s ‘for some Modi first’ jibe

Although the Congress on Wednesday made it clear it wouldn't act against Shashi Tharoor for his now-established pro-Narendra Modi stance, it did hurl a jibe at the Thiruvananthapuram MP saying "while for the party, nation was first, for some others, Modi was first".

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The remarks, targeted at Tharoor, came from Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge when asked if the party would act against Tharoor for taking a line contrary to the party's on PM Modi's Operation Sindoor outreach.

"I do not know how to read English and his language is very good which is why we have made him CWC member. The entire opposition together said we are with the Army which is fighting. I raised the first voice in favour of the Army. We said the country is supreme and we will work together for the country. Party comes later. Country comes first, we said. Some others say "Modi first, country later, what can we do about that?" said Kharge when asked about his opinion on Tharoor's recent take that the PM had not received at home the support he should have had on Operation Sindoor.

Moments later, Tharoor, a four-time MP from Kerala, who led one of the seven multi-party delegations the government sent abroad for Operation Sindoor outreach, wrote a cryptic post on X.

"Don't ask permission to fly. The wings are yours and the sky belongs to no one," Tharoor said.

The Congress, meanwhile, sidestepped pointed queries on possible action against Tharoor with Kharge saying people will write and say what they have to.

"We do not want to waste mindscape on these things. Our only focus is ensuring national unity and security and we will fight for the country. No need to think about other things," said Kharge.

On yet another question as to whether the Congress was afraid to act against Tharoor, whose comments continue to challenge the party position, Kharge said there was nothing to be afraid of.

"Why should we be afraid? We have 34 Congress Working Committee members, 34 permanent invitees, nearly 30 special invitees. They are saying things as per wishes. We are not concerned about such matters," said the Congress chief.