Congress rift goes Public? Centre snubs party's picks for foreign delegation, Shashi Tharoor named for key role
PTC News Desk: The rift between Congress and Shashi Tharoor after the central government overlooked the party’s suggestions and selected the Kerala MP to participate in its diplomatic efforts regarding the conflict with Pakistan.
Tharoor was one of seven MPs chosen by the Centre to be part of an all-party delegation tasked with visiting key nations to highlight Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and present India’s stance on Operation Sindoor.
Shashi Tharoor will lead a key all-party delegation overseas, despite not featuring in his party's own shortlist of nominees for the task. According to party leader Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju had requested the Congress on the morning of 16 May to suggest four names for inclusion in the delegations being dispatched abroad to articulate India's position on terrorism originating from Pakistan.
The Congress's picks were Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Syed Naseer Hussain and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring.
"Yesterday morning, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju spoke with the Congress President and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The INC was asked to submit names of 4 MPs for the delegations to be sent abroad to explain India's stance on terrorism from Pakistan," Jairam Ramesh said in a tweet.
"By noon yesterday May 16th, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha wrote to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs giving the following names on behalf of the INC. Shri Anand Sharma, former Union Cabinet Minister, Shri Gaurav Gogoi, Deputy Leader, INC LS, Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain, MP, RS, Shri Raja Brar, MP, LS, " he further added.
While not directly addressing the controversy, Tharoor said in a cryptic remark that when the national interest is involved and his services were required, he would not be found wanting.
"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," the Thiruvananthapuram MP said.
- PTC NEWS
