Indian National Congress Distances From Tharoor

Shashi Tharoor, an MP for the India — Indian National Congress, publicly praised veteran India — Bharatiya Janata Party leader L. K. Advani on his 98th birthday, commending his public service and role in shaping modern India. This led to immediate backlash, with critics like Supreme Court advocate Sanjay Hegde accusing Tharoor of 'whitewashing' Advani's controversial role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. In response, Tharoor defended his comments by arguing that a long career should not be judged by a single episode, drawing parallels with Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. The India — Indian National Congress, through its media and publicity department head Pawan Khera, 'outrightly' distanced itself from Tharoor's remarks, stating that he 'speaks for himself' and that his continued freedom to express such opinions reflects the party's 'democratic and liberal spirit.'