‘Congress leadership entitled to its opinion on my abilities’: Shashi Tharoor says his commitment remains steadfast

Amid the controversy over the inclusion of Shashi Tharoor to lead one of the all-party delegations to visit various countries to brief them on India’s Operation Sindoor, the Congress MP said the party leadership was entitled to its opinion on his abilities.

 

The Thiruvananthapuram MP said his commitment to the nation remains steadfast and that he would fulfil his assigned responsibilities.

 

"My party leadership is entitled to its opinion of my abilities or lack thereof, and I think that is really for them to explain. I have absolutely no comment to make on that,” he said. “I am honoured to have been entrusted with the responsibility, and I will fulfil that responsibility just as I have fulfilled every responsibility entrusted to me in my rather long working life, whether at the United Nations or in the Congress Party”.

 

Tharooor said the Parliamentary Standing Committee which will meet on Monday and Tuesday will discuss the issue. 

 

The government is dispatching seven high-powered delegations—headed by four NDA MPs and three Opposition MP—to key countries to build consensus against cross-border terrorism. According to reports, Tharoor leads the team which will be visiting the US and several European countries.

 

Lauding the government’s move, the MP said it transcends party politics and reflects national unity. "As a citizen, being called upon to serve the nation at a time of crisis is a matter of duty for all of us. It is an honour that I've been asked to lead the delegation, and I look forward to playing my part. I had no hesitation in accepting the kind invitation of the government," he said. 

 

Tharoor’s inclusion in the mission triggered a political row with the Congress alleging that the government didn’t consider the four names the party had given.

 

“Asking four names, giving four names, and announcing another name is dishonest on the government's part. It is possible that' Mr Rijiju had talked to Rahul ji and Kharge even after the government had made up their mind, but I am giving him the benefit of the doubt. But what happened is dishonest. We are not going to change these four names," Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X.

India