‘He Speaks For Himself’: Congress Distances From Tharoor’s Praise Of Advani’s Public Service

The Congress party has distanced itself from senior leader Shashi Tharoor's remarks defending BJP veteran L.K. Advani's Rath Yatra of the 1990s, clarifying that Tharoor's views are personal.

Congress Media and Publicity Department Chairman Pawan Khera stated that Tharoor "speaks for himself," adding that his ability to express independent opinions while serving as a Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and MP reflects the party's liberal and democratic spirit.

"Like always, Dr. Shashi Tharoor speaks for himself, and the Indian National Congress outrightly dissociates itself from his most recent statement. That he continues to do so as a Congress MP and CWC member reflects the essential democratic and liberal spirit unique to the INC," Khera posted on X.

Tharoor had earlier lauded former Union Minister and BJP stalwart L.K. Advani on his 98th birthday, sharing an old photograph of the two. He described Advani as "a true statesman" whose "unwavering commitment to public service, modesty, and decency" had left a lasting mark on India's political landscape. Tharoor added that Advani's "life of service has been exemplary."

Following this, Tharoor faced criticism over his remarks, particularly regarding Advani's controversial 1990 Rath Yatra, seen as a major factor leading to the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. Responding to the backlash, Tharoor defended his position, arguing against reducing a long political career to a single episode.

"Reducing his (Advani's) long years of service to one episode, however significant, is also unfair," Tharoor wrote on X, drawing parallels with Congress leaders Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. "The totality of Nehruji's career cannot be judged by the China setback, nor Indira Gandhi's by the Emergency alone. I believe we should extend the same courtesy to Advaniji," he said.

L.K. Advani, who played a key role in transforming the BJP into a major national political force, led the Ram Janmabhoomi movement through his landmark Rath Yatra in 1990. The Babri Masjid was demolished two years later, in 1992. Advani and several others were later acquitted of any involvement in the demolition by a court.