In the wake of "Operation Sindoor," a recent initiative addressing terrorism, a controversy arose regarding the composition of the all-party delegations tasked with briefing key global capitals on India's stance. The Congress party found itself clarifying the situation after reports emerged suggesting that Shashi Tharoor, a prominent MP from Thiruvananthapuram, had been excluded from the initial list of nominees despite being invited by the Centre to lead one of the delegations.
The issue gained traction when it was revealed that while the Congress party had submitted a list of four names—Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Syed Naseer Hussain, and Raja Brar—Tharoor's name was not among them. This led to speculation and criticism, with some suggesting that the exclusion was a deliberate snub to Tharoor. K Sudhakaran, former KPCC chief, voiced his concerns, stating that excluding Tharoor, a competent and loyal member of the party, was akin to "insulting" him and created an "unnecessary controversy."
However, the Congress party has since moved to clarify the situation, asserting that the list they provided was simply a set of nominations and that the government was within its rights to choose individuals beyond that list. They emphasized that Tharoor's inclusion in the delegation was ultimately a decision made by the Centre, and the party respects that decision. Jairam Ramesh, a Congress leader, had earlier pointed out that the Congress party had recommended four names, none of whom was Shashi Tarur.
Tharoor himself accepted the invitation from the Centre, stating that when national interest is involved and his services are required, he would not be found wanting. He saw no politics in the matter and emphasized the importance of presenting a united front against terrorism.
The selection of the all-party delegations saw representation from across the political spectrum, with members from BJP, DMK, NCP, JDU, and Shiv Sena, among others. This diverse composition was intended to demonstrate national unity and a firm approach against terrorism, conveying a zero-tolerance message to the international community. The delegations are expected to visit major global capitals, including the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and Japan.
The incident has sparked discussions about internal party dynamics and the role of individual leaders in representing the country on international platforms. Some observers believe that Tharoor's acceptance of the Centre's invitation, despite not being on the initial list, highlights his commitment to national interest above party politics. Others suggest that the Congress party's initial exclusion of Tharoor reflects underlying tensions within the party.
Despite the initial controversy, the focus has now shifted towards the importance of presenting a united front against terrorism. The all-party delegations, including Tharoor, are tasked with conveying India's firm stance and seeking international cooperation in combating terrorism.
