A significant internal rift has emerged within the Congress party following the revelation that its Thiruvananthapuram MP, Shashi Tharoor, was invited to the official Presidential dinner honouring Russian President Vladimir Putin, while the government did not extend invitations to senior leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge.
Congress Leaders Launch Broadside Against Tharoor
On Friday, prominent Congress figures openly criticised both the government and their own colleague, Shashi Tharoor. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera urged party members to understand the "game being played" by the Centre and advised against participating in it. He stated that both those who issued the invitation and those who accepted it were open to scrutiny.
"Everyone has their own conscience, their own inner voice. Had we been invited instead of our leaders, it is clear that we would not have accepted it," Khera asserted. He emphasised the need to comprehend why the game is being played and why Congress should not be a part of it.
Tharoor Defends Acceptance, Highlights Past Protocol
Shashi Tharoor confirmed his invitation and stated he would "definitely go" to the dinner. He pointed out that there was a time when the chairman of the external affairs committee was routinely invited, a practice that had stopped for some years but now seems to have resumed.
"I think, frankly, the custom that usually used to be followed was for a wide representation... I remember in the old days we used to have not only the LoPs, we used to have various other cross-section of representatives of different parties. And I think it conveys a good impression," Tharoor explained. He clarified that the invitations are managed by the government and Rashtrapati Bhavan protocol.
Confirmed Snub to Opposition Leaders
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh ended speculation by confirming on social media platform X that Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge were not invited to the high-profile event. "The two LoPs have not been invited," he wrote.
Veteran leader Salman Khurshid also attacked the government, claiming the move was not in accordance with democratic traditions. "I believe this is not in accordance with democratic traditions and the system. Even opposition leaders have not received the respect they deserve," Khurshid said.
Context of Rahul Gandhi's Earlier Accusations
This controversy erupted just a day after Rahul Gandhi accused the Centre of instructing foreign dignitaries not to meet opposition leaders due to its "insecurity". Speaking to reporters in the Parliament complex, Gandhi expressed displeasure, noting that the tradition of foreign visitors meeting the Leader of the Opposition was followed during the Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh governments but not now.
"Whenever I visit abroad, they suggest that those people shouldn't meet the LoP. People told us we have been informed not to meet the LoP... PM Modi and the foreign ministry do not follow this now because of insecurity," he alleged.
Putin's Ceremonial Welcome in Delhi
The diplomatic dinner took place during President Vladimir Putin's two-day visit to India. Upon his arrival at Palam Airport, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Putin with a hug. The two leaders shared a car ride to the Prime Minister's Lok Kalyan Marg residence, where Putin was gifted a copy of the Bhagavad Gita.
On Friday, President Droupadi Murmu welcomed Putin at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he received a ceremonial welcome and inspected a tri-services guard of honour at the forecourt.
