Amidst ongoing speculation about Shashi Tharoor's standing within the Congress party, another MP has made a pointed remark, adding fuel to the internal debate. The Trivandrum MP, seemingly unfazed by the comments, has indicated his intention to address the situation with party leadership.

The latest development follows reports of perceived slights and attempts to sideline Tharoor, a prominent voice in the party, by state leaders. Some suggest that Tharoor is unhappy with the party leadership after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi did not adequately acknowledge his presence at a recent event in Kochi.

Tharoor himself addressed these concerns on Saturday at the Kerala Literature Festival in Kozhikode, stating that he has never violated the party's stated positions in Parliament. He asserted that his only public disagreement in principle was over Operation Sindhoor, the response to the Pahalgam terror attack last year, a stance he remains "unapologetic" about. He had written a newspaper column after the Pahalgam incident, stating that it should not go unpunished and that there should be a kinetic response. Tharoor clarified that while India is focused on development, it should not be dragged into a prolonged conflict with Pakistan, and that any action should be limited to targeting terrorist camps.

In May 2025, Tharoor responded to reports that Congress was upset with his remarks on the India-Pakistan conflict, stating that he had not been informed of any such issue by the party. He noted his participation in a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting where the matter was not raised. These reports followed claims that Tharoor had crossed the "lakshman rekha" with his repeated comments on the India-Pakistan conflict.

Tharoor has consistently emphasized his commitment to national interests. He stated that his views on Operation Sindhoor were a matter of principle and did not contradict party policies in Parliament. He also referenced India's historical approach to national security, quoting former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru: “If India dies, who will live? He meant that when it comes to the country's security and its position in the world, India comes first”.

It remains to be seen how Tharoor's discussions with party leadership will unfold and what impact they will have on his role within the Congress party. The situation highlights the complex dynamics and diverse viewpoints within the party as it navigates crucial national issues.