Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s appreciation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Ramnath Goenka lecture has become a major controversy within the party. Many Congress leaders have expressed displeasure over this comment of Tharoor. The strongest reaction came from party leader Sandeep Dixit, who directly asked Tharoor why he remained in the Congress if he felt the BJP’s policies were better.

Sandeep Dixit’s allegation – ‘Tharoor does not understand the country properly’
Sandeep Dixit said that he does not think that Shashi Tharoor understands the country very well. He said that if anyone thinks that a leader or government is doing good work for the country by going against the policies of the Congress, then such a person should adopt the same policies and explain why he is in the Congress. He said that if Tharoor really feels that the strategies of BJP or Prime Minister Modi are better than those of Congress, then he should clarify it openly. If he is not able to do this, he will be called a hypocrite.

What did Tharoor say? Why did the ruckus start?
The whole controversy started when Shashi Tharoor openly praised Prime Minister Modi’s Ramnath Goenka lecture. Tharoor said in his post that in the speech, Prime Minister Modi talked about India’s ‘constructive impatience for development’ and stressed on ‘getting out of the colonial mentality’. Tharoor also wrote that the entire speech was impressive both from an economic perspective and as a cultural appeal. He also told that he attended the lecture despite suffering from severe cold and cough because he felt it was necessary.

Attended PM @narendramodi‘s #RamnathGoenkaLecture at the invitation of @IndianExpress last night. He spoke of India’s “constructive impatience” for development and strongly pushed for a post-colonial mindset.

The PM emphasized that India is no longer just an ’emerging market’… pic.twitter.com/97HwGgQ67N

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 18, 2025

Supriya Shrinet’s question – ‘Why is PM Modi angry with journalism?’
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinet also raised questions on Tharoor’s opinion. He said that he did not find anything in Prime Minister Modi’s speech that could be appreciated. Shrinet alleged that the Prime Minister is unhappy with impartial journalism and does not like journalists who show and speak the truth. He also said that Modi spent a lot of time criticizing Congress in his speech and it shows that he ‘thinks about Congress day and night.’ Srinet said that he did not know what Shashi Tharoor found worth appreciating in this speech.

What did PM Modi say in his speech?
In the Ramnath Goenka lecture, Prime Minister Modi also commented on the Bihar election results. He said that this election has given a clear message to the governments of all the states that their future will depend on their development policies, whether they are Left, Right or Centre. He also took a dig at those who say that BJP is always in ‘election mode’. Modi said that BJP does not live in election mode but in ’emotional mode’ and wins elections only by being dedicated to the emotions and development of the people 24×7.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced India’s agenda to the world while addressing the Ramnath Goenka Lecture 2025 held in Delhi on Monday (November 17, 2025). PM Modi said that our priority is development, development and only development. He said that India is committed to becoming developed and self-reliant. We have seen how the last 25 years of the 21st century have passed very fast, challenges came one after another, yet India’s momentum could not be stopped. Whereas today the world is afraid of disruptions, India is moving towards a vibrant future.

PM Modi said, ‘I can say that India is not just an emerging market; This is an emerging model. Be it the central government or state governments led by regional parties, their primary focus should be on development. He said, ‘I encourage state governments to promote the spirit of healthy competition by attracting investment and promoting development. Organizing competitions to increase ease of doing business can be a big step in this direction.

People have trust in the one who gives priority to development – ​​PM Modi

PM Modi said, ‘People of India today trust those political parties which fulfill the hopes of the people with good intentions and give priority to development. Whatever governments there are in the country today, whether it is our government at the Center or the governments of different parties in the states, I would humbly tell them that our biggest priority should be only one – development, development and only development.

He said, ‘It is very important for the development of the country that the benefits of development reach everyone, including the Dalits, the exploited and the deprived. When the benefits of government schemes reach everyone, social justice is ensured.

Also read: ‘The results of Bihar give us a lesson, in the coming days your government…’, PM Modi gave a message to the governments of other parties.