Shiv Sena spokesperson cites national interest as top priority, even as Shashi Tharoor controversy sizzles. However, the Congress MP is ‘Tharoor-ly’ sure and stated he is firm on his decision to accept the Centre’s invitation to lead a multi-party delegation overseas
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. File pic/Shadab Khan
The Shashi Tharoor controversy continues to generate more heat than the Mumbai mercury. The Congress MP is ‘Tharoor-ly’ sure and stated he is firm on his decision to accept the Centre’s invitation to lead a multi-party delegation overseas, as emissaries for India’s zero-tolerance-for-terror message after Operation Sindoor. As the Congress accused the Centre of “playing games”, Shiv Sena spokesperson Krishna Hegde posted on the X platform: ‘Congratulations Shashi Tharoor-ji on being appointed by PM Narendra Modi on the government global delegation. Shashi Tharoor-ji has been under-secretary-general of the United Nations and will definitely be an asset.” The last line of the post reads: ‘National interest is primary. Both Shashi Tharoor-ji and [Congress MLA] Sachin Pilot-ji should consider a change.”
Hegde was referring to Tharoor’s acceptance of the Centre’s invitation.'
Best-suited
Mumbai’s Hegde said, “My post is because Shashi Tharoorji was under-secretary-general of the United Nations (UN), and that is the reason why he understands international relations and diplomacy very well. He is the right person for this job. Remember also that he was in the race for the secretary-general of the UN, pitted against Ban Ki-moon, who eventually won.”
Pic/By Special Arrangement
Hegde insisted we need to see this through the prism of “national interest that is primary and all else is secondary. I do not understand the controversy and allegations. After all, the delegation is from across party lines. These are intellectuals, and they are the ones who are best suited to present our view.”
Victim of terror
Hegde added, “India has been a victim of terrorism for years, and Pakistan cannot get away with playing the victim card repeatedly. We must remember that Osama Bin Laden was found and killed in Pakistan, and for the country to claim they did not know anything is a blatant lie. Delegations like these post Operation Sindoor are important to present to the world that Pakistan hiding behind words like “non-State actors” or other such phrases will not quite cut it any longer. In fact, these actors, non-State or whatever, are linked to the Pak establishment and guided by the ISI [Inter-Services Intelligence]. Even after the Pahalgam attack, in the India-Pakistan conflict, one saw Pakistani generals attend a funeral of a terrorist.”
“Overall,” Hegde stated, “The delegation is good. If Tharoor himself has no objection, then what is the controversy about? The government had to choose the best people, and that has been done.” Asked about his last statement that Tharoor and Pilot should look for change, Hegde explained, “That is a political statement. They should look at changing their party, as I do not think the Congress understands their value.”
Asked if by “consider a change”, Hegde meant they should look to change to the BJP, Hegde said warily, “The BJP or any other party in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) of their choice, which supports the BJP.”
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
