Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's statement that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had conveyed India's concerns to US President Donald Trump regarding the safety of civilian sailors has earned him the ire of his party. The controversy erupted after Tharoor said that PM Modi raised the issue of Indian seafarers with the US President, contradicting the stance of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who had alleged that Modi did not take up the matter of three Indian seafarers killed by the US navy.
Congress Spokesperson's Sharp Response
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera reacted sharply to Tharoor's remarks, saying, "Admiration for PM Modi appears to have transcended the limitations of the physical world" and he now "seems capable of hearing what Modi doesn't even say." Khera's comments came in response to queries regarding Tharoor's statement, which was at odds with Rahul Gandhi's allegation that PM Modi had not raised the issue of the deaths of three Indian seafarers who were killed by the US navy after their Palau-flagged ship breached the US-imposed naval blockade.
Tharoor Defends His Statement
Tharoor responded on X (formerly Twitter) that he found it extraordinary that a statement about protecting Indian civilian sailors was "being twisted into a partisan political controversy." He emphasized that his comments were about ensuring the safety of Indian sailors and not about political point-scoring.
BJP Takes a Dig at Rahul Gandhi
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seized on Tharoor's statement to target Rahul Gandhi. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, "Dr Shashi Tharoor contradicted Rahul Gandhi's stand on the same issue... Not just that, Tharoor has effusively praised PM Modi's vision, articulation, dynamism and oratory. He has said Modi has left a stamp on the lives of Indians." The BJP used Tharoor's remarks to highlight differences within the Congress party on the issue.
Background of the Seafarers' Issue
The incident involved three Indian seafarers who were killed when the US navy intercepted a Palau-flagged ship that had violated the US-imposed naval blockade. Rahul Gandhi had earlier accused PM Modi of failing to raise the issue with US President Trump, leading to a political controversy. Tharoor's statement that Modi did raise the matter has now created a rift within the Congress party, with some members backing Tharoor and others criticizing him for deviating from the party line.
