Congress Divided: Priyanka Gandhi Opposes ‘PM, CMs Removal Bill,’ Tharoor Says Its Common Sense

Shashi Tharoor, already under scrutiny within the Congress for remarks praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, once again distanced himself from the party line on Wednesday. This time, his differing view was on the controversial bill proposing the removal of senior government figures, including the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers, if they face prolonged jail terms.

The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025, to be introduced in Parliament by Home Minister Amit Shah, seeks to mandate that any minister - including the Prime Minister - arrested and imprisoned for more than 30 consecutive days must step down on the 31st day or be dismissed from office.

The opposition has sharply criticised the proposal, with Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra branding it "draconian." She argued, "Tomorrow, you can file any case against a chief minister, have him or her arrested for 30 days without conviction... and that person ceases to be chief minister? It is absolutely anti-constitutional."

Mr. Tharoor, however, offered a contrasting opinion. "If you are in jail for 30 days then can you continue as a minister? This is common sense. I don't see anything wrong in this. But if there is anything else behind it, then I will have to read it first," he told NDTV. He also said sending the bill to a select or joint parliamentary committee for review would be a "good thing," since detailed discussions within committees are beneficial for the country.

The bill is expected to be referred to a select committee when Parliament resumes, after being adjourned earlier today amid protests by the opposition.

Tharoor's position comes just days after he appeared to criticise the Congress for skipping a special discussion in Parliament on Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla. His ties with the party have been uncertain since 2021, when he joined the 'G-23' group of dissenters questioning the Gandhis' leadership.

In recent months, tensions have escalated after his positive remarks about Prime Minister Modi, particularly following his selection to brief partner nations on Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor. The Congress has privately conveyed its discomfort, while speculation about Tharoor's political future has intensified.

Amid rumors of a possible switch to the BJP, Tharoor has firmly denied any such move, insisting that his comments about Modi's "dynamism" were not signs of crossing over. "It is not a sign of my leaping to join the Prime Minister's party... as some people have been implying," he clarified.