• Source:JND
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India-Pakistan Conflict: Hours after the Central government released the names of Members of Parliament (MPs) selected to brief the international community on India-Pakistan tensions and the country's anti-terror stance, Congress released the names of MPs, which it suggested for the global outreach campaign. However, Congress' suggestions did not include Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor's name, who has been named by the Centre to lead a delegation for the global outreach.

The Congress suggested four names: former Cabinet Minister Anand Sharma, Deputy Leader of the Party in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, Rajya Sabha MP Sayed Naseer Hussain and Lok Sabha MP Raja Brar. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said that the party submitted the names of four MPs for the delegations to be sent abroad to explain India's stance on terrorism.

Earlier in the day, the government announced the names of MPs who will lead the delegations and brief the international community, including the members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), about India-Pakistan tensions and India’s message against terrorism.

Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP was among the names announced by the Centre. Other members include BJP leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad and Baijayant Panda, Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, DMK's Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Supriya Sule, and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MP Shrikant Shinde.

BJP's Calls Congress' Recommendations 'Questionable'

Reacting to the suggestions sent by the Congress, BJP leader Amit Malviya said that "Congress' choices to represent India at diplomatic meetings are not just intriguing, they are deeply questionable," and alleged that the names suggested by Congress are facing "grave allegations". Questioning Congress' choices, Malviya recalled the controversy related to Syed Naseer Hussain after he was elected a Rajya Sabha MP in February last year. The BJP at that time alleged that his supporters raised "Pakistan Zindabad" slogans after his win in the Vidhan Sabha. However, Hussain denied all the allegations.

Malviya also questioned MP Gaurav Gogoi's name as a recommendation and said that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had accused Gogoi of spending 15 days in Pakistan. Malviya said that Himanta Sarma had also claimed Elizabeth Colebourn maintained links with the Pakistan Army and "continued to receive a salary from Pakistan".

Praising Shashi Tharoor, Malviya said, "No one can deny Shashi Tharoor’s eloquence, his long experience as a United Nations official, and his deep insights on matters of foreign policy." He further questioned Rahul Gandhi on excluding Shashi Tharoor from Congress recommendations and said, "Is it insecurity? Jealousy? Or simply intolerance of anyone who outshines the ‘high command’?".

Shashi Tharoor ‘Honoured’ To Receive Invitation

Tharoor, responding to the government’s decision to entrust him with the responsibility to lead the delegation, said that he was ‘honoured’, adding, "When national interest is involved, and my services are required, I will not be found wanting."

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"I am honoured by the invitation of the government of India to lead an all-party delegation to five key capitals, to present our nation's point of view on recent events. When national interest is involved, and my services are required, I will not be found wanting. Jai Hind!" Shashi Tharoor posted on X.

India’s Global Outreach To Expose Pakistan

Seven all-party delegations are set to visit key capitals across the world, such as Washington, London, Abu Dhabi, Pretoria and Tokyo, in the context of Operation Sindoor and India's continued fight against cross-border terrorism.

The delegations will present India's "zero tolerance" policy and national consensus, and resolute approach to fight terrorism. The delegations will brief the world on developments under Operation Sindoor, which took place on May 7.

All Not Well Between Congress And Tharoor?

Shashi Tharoor's appointment is significant, as his name was not among those proposed by the Congress party. This also came amid his persistent statements, allegedly, against the party line. His recent remark appreciating the Central government for its military action against Pakistan triggered discontent within his party, which distanced itself from Tharoor's comments.

Praising the Centre's action against Pakistan, Tharoor said that the government acted with restraint and precision, targeting only terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK during the strikes on May 7. However, Jairam Ramesh distanced the party from Tharoor's comments, stating, "It is his opinion. When Tharoor saab speaks, it is not the party's opinion."

According to sources cited in a Press Trust of India (PTI) report, senior party figures feel Tharoor may have crossed a "Lakshman Rekha" by consistently deviating from the official party line. Congress criticised the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a lack of transparency over the ceasefire agreement. It also questioned the government over the role of the United States in the agreement.                 

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