New Delhi: In an emphatic response, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday pointed out that he had backed the BJP-led central government on Operation Sindoor as an Indian citizen, and made it clear that he was not speaking as his party’s spokesperson, following reports that senior party leaders felt he had crossed a “Lakshman Rekha”.
Tharoor stated, “At this time, at a time of conflict, I spoke as an Indian. I never pretended to speak for anyone else. I am not a spokesperson for the party. I am not the government spokesperson. Whatever I have said, you may agree or disagree with that, blame it on me individually, and that’s fine.”
Tharoor said that he was voicing his personal views when it was crucial for everyone to come together as Indians, especially on a global level.
The Congress MP underlined: “I made it very clear that I am expressing my personal views. It was really a contribution to the national discourse, at a time when it was very important for us to rally around the flag, especially internationally. There was a relative lack of our point of view being heard, particularly in the US, Europe, and the Middle East.”
Reacting to reports that senior Congress leaders were disappointed with his comments, he said, “People are entirely free to reject my point of view. I have received no communication from the party; all I am seeing is media reports.”
On Wednesday, the Congress Working Committee had sounded a warning to members to toe the party line and not air personal views. “We are a democratic party and people keep expressing their opinions, but this time, Tharoor has crossed the Lakshman Rekha,” a senior party leader was quoted saying by PTI.
