'Who Said I Left Party Line': Shashi Tharoor On 'Friction' With Congress Over His Recent Remarks

Last Updated:January 05, 2026, 22:08 IST

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said controversies often arise when media reports are based only on headlines without reading the full content

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said the questions he raised in Parliament to ministers had a clear direction and that the party should not be troubled by them. (Image: PTI/File)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has said he has never deviated from the party line, even as there were reports that his recent statements had reportedly caused friction within the party and put it in a defensive mode.

Tharoor was speaking to reporters on Monday after attending the ‘Lakshya 2026’ leadership camp organised by the Kerala Congress to chalk out strategies for the upcoming assembly elections.

“My question is, who said that I left the party line. Even when I expressed my opinions on various subjects, on most matters, the party and I have stood on the same line," Tharoor said.

He said the questions he raised in Parliament to ministers had a clear direction and that the party should not be troubled by them. Controversies often arise when media reports are based only on headlines without reading the full content, he added.

“When I ask whether people have read what I actually wrote, most have not. After reading the full text, they realise the real issue," he said.

The Congress working committee member said he had been in the party for 17 years and shared good relations with colleagues.

“There is no need for any sudden misunderstanding now," he said.

Asked if the issues began after he contested for the Congress president’s post, he said the party followed democratic traditions and many leaders had contested internal elections in the past.

“I contested and lost. The chapter ended there. I don’t see any story in it. In the party’s history, many elections have been held,, and many have been won and lost," he added.

About his remarks defending veteran BJP leader LK Advani, the Congress leader said it was an act of courtesy on Advani’s 98th birthday.

“Our culture teaches us to respect elders, and that is what I did," he said.

Referring to another controversy over remarks seen as praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said he merely quoted what was said at a public event.

“I asked people to point out where I praised him. If one reads the full post, it is clear there was nothing of that sort," he added.

The Congress MP’s statements and articles had invited sharp criticism from his party leaders at the national and state levels.

On the Kerala assembly elections and candidate selection, he said party leaders will be consulted. Asked if Congress MPs will contest the assembly polls, he added that some were interested but the decision rested with the party leadership.

Tharoor further said the party will stand united with the people and expressed confidence that the UDF will come to power in Kerala. On predictions about the Congress winning 100 seats, he said the leader of the opposition had made the claim and that it was achievable.

(With PTI inputs)

News politics 'Who Said I Left Party Line': Shashi Tharoor On 'Friction' With Congress Over His Recent Remarks

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