Tharoor Says He Was Wrong, BJP Calls It a Win for Modi
The BJP took a dig at Congress after its MP Shashi Tharoor admitted he was wrong to oppose India’s neutral stance on the Ukraine-Russia war. Tharoor said he was left with “egg on his face” for criticizing PM Modi’s foreign policy.
BJP Leaders React
BJP leaders quickly jumped on Tharoor’s statement. They said it was proof that even opposition leaders were recognizing PM Modi’s diplomatic success.
Former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that Congress leaders like Rahul Gandhi and P. Chidambaram had to “eat their words” on multiple issues, including the economy and foreign policy.
BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya claimed that Tharoor’s remarks would leave Rahul Gandhi “red-faced” and Congress scrambling for a response.
What Tharoor Said
Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue, Tharoor admitted he had misjudged India’s stance on the war. He acknowledged that PM Modi’s diplomacy allowed him to maintain friendly ties with both Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy and Russia’s President Putin.
“I am still wiping the egg off my face because I had criticized India’s position in 2022,” Tharoor said. He added that India’s policy of “siding with peace” had strengthened its global standing.
Congress in a Tough Spot?
This is the second time in a month that Tharoor has praised PM Modi’s diplomatic efforts. In February, he had also spoken positively about Modi’s visit to the US.
With the BJP celebrating his remarks, the Congress now faces pressure to clarify whether Tharoor was speaking for himself or the party.
