Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday stated that his remarks regarding the India-Pakistan conflict were made personally, as an “Indian and a proud citizen,” and did not represent the official position of the party.
While talking to journalists, the Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala also stated that he was unaware of reports suggesting that some Congress leaders believed he had crossed the “Lakshman Rekha” – a term from the Ramayana, generally interpreted as “boundary” – due to his ongoing remarks regarding the conflict.
‘I Don’t know where this comes from’
Asked about some Congress leaders’ views that he had crossed his limits, he said: “I don’t know where this comes from. I was at a closed door meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC). I was there till 6.35pm for the meeting that began at 4.30pm. And I must say that at that time, there was certainly no reference to any of this and no reference to me. If something happened thereafter, I am yet to be informed about it. So when I am informed, I will react to it.”
He further stated, “I don’t find it necessary to respond to something for which there has been no official communication to me whatsoever, nor any conversation in which I was involved.”
According to sources, during a CWC meeting on Wednesday, certain leaders claimed that Tharoor had overstepped the “Lakshman Rekha” through his ongoing comments regarding the India-Pakistan conflict. We are a democratic party, and individuals continue to share their views, but this time, Tharoor has crossed the boundaries,” stated one of them.
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‘Important to unite behind the flag’
Tharoor additionally stated that “in my opinion, it was simply a contribution to a crucial national dialogue at a moment when, candidly, it was vital for us to unite behind the flag, particularly on the international stage.”
He stated that he does not have access to any confidential information regarding the conflict. “I am sharing my personal viewpoint as someone who has been observing and following global events from nearby for an extended period.” That’s pretty much it. “Individuals are fully free to dismiss my perspective; it’s merely my perspective, and I feel I have the right to hold it,” he stated.
