Congress Slams Centre Over Shashi Tharoor's Delegation Role

Congress Criticises BJP govt over Delegation Selections After the inclusion of Shashi Tharoor 

New Delhi, May 18,2025: A political controversy has erupted following the Centre's announcement of all-party delegations intended to represent India's stance on terrorism internationally. 

The Congress party has expressed strong disapproval, alleging that the government disregarded its recommended nominees, leading to internal discord and public criticism.

On May 16, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs requested the Congress to submit four names for inclusion in the delegations. By noon, the party had proposed Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Syed Naseer Hussain, and Raja Brar.However, when the final list was released on May 17, only Anand Sharma was included, while Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari, Amar Singh, and Salman Khurshid—who were not among the Congress's suggestions—were appointed by the government .

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh criticized the move, stating it demonstrated the Modi government's "complete insincerity" and accused it of playing "cheap political games" on serious national issues .

Shashi Tharoor, a senior Congress MP and former Minister of State for External Affairs, accepted the government's invitation to lead one of the delegations. He expressed that the Centre selected individuals it deemed appropriate and stresses on his commitment to national interest .

Tharoor's inclusion has sparked internal tensions within the Congress, especially in Kerala, where party leaders have urged him to prioritise his responsibilities as a Congress MP and seek approval from the party leadership for international engagements .

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has seized upon the discord, suggesting that the Congress's criticism stems from internal jealousy and a lack of unity. The situation also stresses on the challenges of bipartisan cooperation in India's foreign policy initiatives and raises questions about internal party cohesion within the Congress.

As the delegations prepare to represent India on the global stage, the political ramifications of these selections continue to unfold domestically.