Shashi Tharoor Backs PM Modi on Trump Meeting, BJP Takes Swipe at Rahul Gandhi: ‘Hope He Doesn’t Sack Him’

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has once again found himself at the centre of a political storm after publicly backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approach during his recent interaction with US President Donald Trump, prompting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to launch a fresh attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Tharoor's remarks, which were seen as supportive of the Prime Minister's diplomatic engagement with Trump, came amid a heated political debate over India's handling of recent developments involving the United States. The Congress and BJP have been sparring over foreign policy issues, particularly after Rahul Gandhi criticized the Modi government over its response to recent US actions affecting Indian interests.

The BJP was quick to capitalize on Tharoor's comments. Several party leaders pointed to what they described as a contradiction between the Congress MP's assessment and Rahul Gandhi's criticism of the government. One BJP leader sarcastically remarked that he hoped Rahul Gandhi would not "sack" Tharoor for expressing views that appeared to align with the government's position.

According to BJP leaders, Tharoor's endorsement of Modi's diplomatic outreach reinforces the Prime Minister's standing on the global stage and exposes differences within the Congress party on matters of foreign policy. The ruling party has repeatedly highlighted instances where Tharoor has praised aspects of the government's international engagement despite being a senior opposition leader.

The latest episode adds to a series of occasions where Tharoor's remarks have generated political debate. The Thiruvananthapuram MP has often maintained that national interests should take precedence over partisan politics, especially in matters concerning diplomacy and India's international standing. In the past, he has defended acknowledging positive actions by political opponents while remaining committed to the Congress party.

Congress leaders have not officially reacted to the BJP's latest taunts, but Tharoor has previously dismissed speculation about differences with the party leadership and reiterated his loyalty to the Congress. He has repeatedly stated that constructive engagement and independent views should not be mistaken for political disloyalty.

The controversy comes at a time when both the BJP and Congress are intensifying their political messaging ahead of upcoming electoral battles. While the BJP portrays Tharoor's comments as evidence of growing acceptance of Modi's leadership across party lines, the Congress continues to accuse the government of mishandling key diplomatic and economic issues.

As the political war of words continues, Tharoor's remarks have once again highlighted the complexities of opposition politics, where individual leaders' views can sometimes diverge from the broader party narrative while still remaining within the party fold.