Differences between Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor and the Congress party are once again coming out openly. On Tuesday (July 22, 2025), Tharoor gave a befitting reply to critics. Recently, senior Kerala leader K.K. Muralitharan had said that ‘Tharoor is no longer with us’. Although Tharoor did not take the name, he said in clear terms that those who make such statements should have a concrete basis.

What did Shashi Tharoor say?
Talking to reporters in Delhi, Tharoor said, ‘Those who are saying so, should tell any basis for it. Who are they? I want to know Then we will see. Do not ask me on the behavior of others, I can only talk about my behavior.

Of. Strict stance of Muralitharan
Senior Congress leader and four -time MP K.K. Muralitharan recently said that until Shashi Tharoor does not withdraw the statements in April about Pahalgam terror attack and India’s military response (Operation Sindoor), he will not be invited to any party program in Kerala, especially Thiruvananthapuram. Muralitharan said, ‘They are not with us, so there is no question of boycott.’

‘Vikas is above politics’: Tharoor
Tharoor has repeatedly said that he gives priority to politics and development above political parties. He also made statements about the praise of the leadership of Emergency, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and the recent Pahalgam attack, which he was strongly criticized.

#Watch Delhi: On Statements by Congress Leaders Against Him, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor Says, “The people who are saying this should have some some comes for saying so. Who are youhi? Don’t ask me about the behavior of others. pic.twitter.com/kdjf1un21d

– ANI (@ani) July 22, 2025

Distance from Congress party increased
Tharoor’s relationship with the Congress has been unstable since 2021, when he joined the group of disgruntled leaders named G-23 and questioned the leadership of the Gandhi family. In the last few months, his conflict with the party has deepened, especially when he was one of the few opposition MPs who were selected to brief foreign partnership countries on Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. In a conversation with NDTV, when he was asked how his current relationship with Congress, he said, ‘I have been completely loyal to the party and its ideology for the last 16 years.’

Refusal to join BJP
Tharoor dismissed all speculation about joining BJP in clear terms. He said, ‘This is not a sign of my Prime Minister joining the party … as some people are understanding …’

K murlidharan on shashi tharoor: Senior Congress leader K Muralitharan once again targeted the party aide Shashi Tharoor and said that he no longer comes under the party’s “our”. He clarified that he will not be invited to any party program to be held in Thiruvananthapuram until Tharoor changes his stand on national security.

National leadership will decide
Muralitharan also said that the national leadership of the party will decide what action should be taken against Tharoor. He said, when he is not with us, there is no question of boycotting any of his programs.

Tharoor’s response: ‘Country first, party later’
The dispute came to light a day later when Tharoor said in a program in Kochi, “The country comes first and parties are a means to improve the country.” He also said that he supported the armed forces and the central government regarding national security and recent border incidents, due to which he has suffered a lot of criticism.
Tharoor said, ‘I will stand on my stance, because I believe that this is right for the country.’

‘Talking about the interest of the party, the party opposed?’
Tharoor also said that when people talk about cooperation from other parties on the issue of national security, their own party starts looking at them with disbelief, which causes problems.

Time on the choice of CM post
Earlier too, Muralitharan had targeted Tharoor when he shared a survey in which Tharoor was described as the most favorite face for the post of Chief Minister from UDF. Muralitharan had taunted and said that Tharoor should first decide which party they are in.

Controversy increased due to reaction to Pahalgam attack
The controversy with Tharoor’s recent comments within the Congress deepened, especially with his statements on the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Many party leaders described their response to the Congress as a defensive position.

There was a ruckus from the article on the Emergency
Tharoor wrote an article criticizing Indira Gandhi and Emergency in a Malayalam newspaper, on which Muralitharan took him on his hand. He said that if Tharoor is feeling suffocated in Congress, then he should choose a clear political path.