News Description: A political firestorm has erupted within the Congress party after senior leader Shashi Tharoor, during a delegation in Panama, reportedly lauded India’s current approach to counter-terrorism, implying a significant shift from previous governments. Tharoor’s remarks, which touched upon surgical strikes and air strikes as a deterrent against terrorism, have drawn sharp criticism from his own party colleagues. Udit Raj, a prominent Congress leader, didn’t mince words, labeling Tharoor as a “super spokesperson” for the BJP. Raj questioned Tharoor’s understanding of past governmental actions and accused him of taking credit for the Indian armed forces’ achievements, echoing BJP’s narrative. He vehemently argued that previous governments conducted similar operations discreetly, without seeking undue publicity or leveraging military actions for political gain, unlike the current administration. Raj further lambasted Tharoor, suggesting his comments were a mere “publicity stunt” and an attempt to become a spokesperson for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Tharoor, while leading a delegation in Panama, strongly condemned Pakistan for its continuous terrorist acts targeting Indian territory. He asserted that a notable change in recent years is the clear understanding among terrorists that their actions will now come with a significant cost. He emphasized that there should be no doubt about this shift, citing the September 2015 surgical strike in Uri as a precedent where India breached the Line of Control between India and Pakistan – an unprecedented move at the time. This statement has been interpreted by many as an indirect endorsement of the Modi government’s robust stance on national security, a position that has traditionally been a strong point for the BJP. The controversy highlights the ongoing ideological struggle within the Congress party regarding its approach to national security and its leaders’ public statements on sensitive issues.