Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, May 17: A seemingly non-controversial issue has caused political slugfest between the ruling BJP and the Congress over the choice of names to represent the Grand Old Party in the all-party delegations to key partner countries to convey India’s message of zero tolerance against terrorism and expose Pakistan’s dubious character in shielding terror groups. The Congress on Saturday accused the government of “playing games” with a “mischievous mindset” by incorporating Congress MPs in the delegations other than the four recommended by the party.
The Congress attack came after the government named the Congress leader Shashi Tharoor to lead one of the seven delegations the Centre has constituted with MPs from different parties to visit the assigned nations to explain India’s points of view on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Mr Tharoor is not among the four names suggested by the party.
In an apparent swipe at Mr Tharoor, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, “Congress mein hona aur Congress ka hona mein zameen-aasmaan ka antar hai [There is a difference between being in the Congress and of the Congress].” Mr Ramesh said senior party leader Salman Khurshid was also approached by the government and he told them that the party has to decide.
The Congress said it was asked by the government to submit names of four MPs for the all-party delegations to be sent abroad to explain India’s stance on terrorism from Pakistan and it nominated Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Syed Naseer Hussain and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring.
At a media briefing in New Delhi, Mr Ramesh hit out at the government and said, “You cannot include names of MPs [in delegations] without consulting the party.” In a democratic system, when individual MPs are sent on an official delegation, MPs should seek the concurrence of the party, he said.
Mr Ramesh accused the government of playing “Narad Muni politics.” He said it was “dishonest” and “downright mischievous” to ask the Congress for names when in all probability, they had decided the names even before that. Mr Ramesh also alleged that the whole delegation exercise was a “diversionary and cosmetic exercise.” He asserted that the Congress will not rethink the four names it has sent to the government.
“Asking for four names, being given four names and not considering those names is dishonesty on the part of the government. We will not change these four names,” he said. First the government asked for names and then announced its own names which does not show honesty and shows that “games are being played”, he added.
According to Mr Ramesh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju called Mr Kharge and Mr Gandhi on Friday (May 16) morning and asked them to give the names of four leaders. “By 12:30 on May 16, Rahul Gandhi wrote to Kiren Rijiju and gave the four names,” he said. “We did not hear anything after that and then we got a PIB release,” Mr Ramesh said, adding that it came as a surprise.
“In diplomacy, some things are done in confidence. But today, a different sort of press release came from the side of the government, we are surprised,” he said. “I can’t say what will happen. We were asked to give names with the confidence that the government is asking us for names honestly and not mischievously,” he added.
A statement issued by the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry on Saturday said, “The all-party delegations will project India’s national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism in all forms and manifestations. They would carry forth to the world the country’s strong message of zero tolerance against terrorism.” The government has made a careful selection of leaders who will head the delegations as they come from parties across the political divide and are considered articulate voices.
The leaders — four from the ruling National Democratic Alliance and three from the opposition INDIA bloc — include seasoned lawmakers with long stints in public life. The Ministry’s statement said distinguished diplomats will be part of each delegation.
In a post on X, Mr Rijiju said, “In moments that matter most, Bharat stands united. Seven All-Party Delegations will soon visit key partner nations, carrying our shared message of zero-tolerance to terrorism.” Sharing the Ministry’s statement, he said, “A powerful reflection of national unity above politics, beyond differences.” The statement said the proposed visits of the seven all-party delegations come in the context of Operation Sindoor and India’s continued fight against cross-border terrorism.
According to the government notification, Mr Tharoor, the four-time MP from Thiruvananthapuram, would head the all-party delegation. Other members named include BJP leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad and Baijayant Panda, Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, DMK’s Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Supriya Sule, and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MP Shrikant Shinde.
The BJP has called the suggestions by the Congress “questionable.” “The Congress party’s choices to represent India at diplomatic meetings are not just intriguing – they are deeply questionable,” wrote BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya on X.
The seven-member delegation will embark on a 10-day diplomatic mission starting May 23, visiting key capitals such as Washington, London, Abu Dhabi, Pretoria, and Tokyo. Each team is expected to present India’s “zero tolerance” policy on terrorism and highlight recent developments under Operation Sindoor, the military operation launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 dead.
Mr Tharoor, responding to Centre’s official announcement, said he was “honoured” by the invitation, adding that he would “not be found wanting” when national interest is involved. “I am honoured by the invitation of the government of India to lead an all-party delegation to five key capitals, to present our nation’s point of view on recent events. When national interest is involved, and my services are required, I will not be found wanting,” Mr Tharoor said in a statement.
“Certainly, when the nation needs my services, I am available and I’m available for my country. To my mind, this has nothing to do with party politics. It’s all to do with what our country has been through in recent times and the need for us to present a united front…It is a good reflection of national unity at a time when unity is important,” he said.
The Thiruvananthapuram MP, who was not featured in his party’s own shortlist of nominees for the task, further said he had informed the grand-old party after he received the call from the government.
“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. 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.”
Mr Tharoor, who is also the head of parliamentary panel on foreign affairs in India, said, “We have a Parliamentary Standing Committee meeting on Monday and Tuesday on various issues, including this particular issue. Certainly, I informed them (the party) of the first call I got, which was two days ago. I also mentioned to the parliamentary affairs minister that I assumed that he would be talking to the party leaderships of opposition parties, and he assured me that he would be. I found it entirely appropriate, as I said, that the country should rally together on this particularly important issue…” he said.
The selection of Mr Tharoor comes at a politically sensitive time for the Congress. His recent public remarks supporting the government’s handling of India’s military response have drawn rare praise from ruling party figures but triggered discontent within his own party. Mr Tharoor has stated that the government acted with restraint and precision, targeting only terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK during the strikes on May 7, which reportedly killed over 100 terrorists.
These remarks were at odds with the Congress Party’s formal line, which has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government for a lack of transparency over the ceasefire agreement and questioned the role of the United States in brokering it. In a recent press briefing, Mr Ramesh distanced the party from Tharoor’s comments, stating, “It is his opinion. When Tharoor saab speaks, it is not the party’s opinion.” According to sources, senior party figures feel Mr Tharoor may have crossed a “Lakshman Rekha” by consistently deviating from the official party line.
Mr Tharoor’s relationship with the Congress high command has long been marked by phases of friction. In 2014, he was dropped as party spokesperson after he wrote favourably about Prime Minister Modi. In 2020, he was part of the so-called G-23, a group of senior Congress leaders who demanded sweeping organisational reforms. Many from that group have since exited the party. In 2022, Mr Tharoor contested the Congress presidential election against Mallikarjun Kharge. Despite Mr Kharge’s support from the Gandhi family, Mr Tharoor secured over 1,000 delegate votes.
The primary goal of each delegation is to reinforce India’s demand that the international community hold Pakistan accountable for its support of terrorist groups operating across the border. The government has reiterated that any future terror attacks will be viewed as acts of war.
According to the Ministry’s statement, each delegation will meet with senior officials, lawmakers, and policy influencers in their respective destinations. Topics of discussion will include the Pahalgam attack and India’s response, cross-border terrorism, India’s position on Jammu and Kashmir and the need for stronger mechanisms to counter terror financing and safe havens.
