‘Don’t Ask Permission To Fly’: Shashi Tharoor’s Cryptic Post After Kharge’s Remarks On Modi Article | Politics News

Last Updated:June 25, 2025, 19:01 IST

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor’s post comes as party president Mallikarjun Kharge took an indirect swipe at him during a press conference at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi on June 25. (Image: PTI/File)

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday shared a cryptic post on his social media, soon after party president Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks hinting at displeasure over his op-ed praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an English daily.

The post, depicting a bird sitting on a branch, said: “Don’t ask permission to fly. The wings are yours and the sky belongs to no one…”

Tharoor’s post comes as Kharge, during a press conference at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi, took an indirect swipe at his party colleague. He said for the party, the nation comes first but for some it is “Modi first and nation second”.

“I don’t know how to read English; he has a very good command of English, which is why we made him a CWC member. The entire opposition said, ‘We are with our Army, our soldiers, and Operation Sindoor’. For us, the nation comes first, but some say, ‘Modi first and nation second’ — so what can we do about that?” Kharge said.

But Kharge also dismissed notions of “action” against Tharoor for his remarks in the article. “People will write what they feel like, we don’t want to get involved in all that. We want unity for the nation, and we will keep fighting for the nation. There are nearly 34 CWC members and 30 special invitees, each with their views. What he is saying reflects his personal opinion. We are focused on saving the nation. If someone is concerned about something else, then you should ask him,” he said.

Tharoor’s article praising Modi has become another one of many reasons the Congress is unhappy with the senior leader. His remarks were seen as likely to irk the party and widen cracks in his ties with its leadership.

His views on action taken after the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, and the diplomacy delegation have all been in favour of the central government. While the Congress initially supported the Modi-led Centre on all that has happened since the deadly terror strike, it has lately asked for clarity on the ceasefire deal that US President Donald Trump claimed to have brokered between India and Pakistan to end their military standoff.

Things almost came to a head when the government asked Tharoor — the former Under-Secretary General of the United Nations — to lead the all-party diplomatic mission abroad for global outreach to convey India’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy on terrorism following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor.

This time, it is the article that has reignited speculation over Tharoor’s position and future in the Congress. While some party leaders — Pawan Khera and Udit Raj, among others — have openly criticised Tharoor for it, the party has once again distanced itself from the ensuing melee of arguments and counter-arguments over it.

Tharoor’s remarks in the article published in The Hindu on June 23 stated that Modi’s energy, dynamism and willingness to engage remained a “prime asset” for India on the global stage. This is not vastly different from his recent social media posts or remarks since he returned from the all-party mission.

The Congress said Tharoor’s opinions are his own but not the party’s. “It may be his own opinion, it is not the opinion of the Congress party. It is not the Congress’ view since we have presented our views with evidence and proof,” party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said on Tuesday (June 24).

Tharoor, meanwhile, has said his article on Operation Sindoor’s global outreach was not a sign of his “leaping to join” Modi’s party but a statement of national unity, interest and standing up for India. The Prime Minister’s Office shared his article on X.

(With PTI inputs)

Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st…Read More

Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st… Read More

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