Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday delivered a calibrated response to fellow party MP Digvijaya Singh's recent comments lauding the organisational prowess of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The remarks, which ignited a firestorm within the party and provided fresh ammunition to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), prompted Tharoor to emphasise the need for internal discipline while allowing Singh to speak for himself.
A Measured Response on a Significant Day
Speaking on the occasion of the Congress party's 140th Foundation Day, which Tharoor termed "a very important day," the Thiruvananthapuram MP addressed the controversy. "We have a history of 140 years, and we can learn a lot from it. We can learn from ourselves, too," Tharoor stated. He underscored the imperative for discipline within the party organisation, adding, "Digvijaya Singh can speak for himself."
When questioned about whether he had conversed with Singh following the uproar, Tharoor, who called Singh a "friend," noted that conversation between them was natural. He firmly asserted, "The organisation must be strengthened, there is no question about it."
The Spark: Singh's Praise and Internal Disquiet
The controversy erupted after Digvijaya Singh shared a photograph from the 1990s on social media, depicting a young Narendra Modi seated on the floor while senior BJP leaders like L.K. Advani sat on chairs. Singh described the image as "very impressive" and cited it as an example of the "strength of organisation" that propelled Modi's rise.
This public admiration for the RSS-BJP structure cast a shadow over the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting held on Saturday. The meeting, convened to strategise on cornering the government over the VB-G RAM G Act, was instead dominated by internal unease over Singh's comments. Reports from the meeting indicated that Singh also criticised "over-centralisation" within the Congress and advocated for greater decentralisation.
Sharp Reactions and Political Fallout
The BJP swiftly capitalised on the internal Congress discord. Party spokesman Sudhanshu Trivedi contrasted the BJP's recognition of a "gudri ke laal" (son of a quilt, referring to PM Modi's humble origins) with the Congress's focus on "Jawahar ke laal" (referring to Rahul Gandhi).
Within the Congress, reactions were pointed. Congress media department chairman Pawan Khera drew a firm ideological line, stating, "There's nothing to learn from the RSS. What can an organisation known for Godse teach an organisation founded by Gandhi?" Party MP Manickam Tagore shared a clip of a football "own goal," implying Singh's comments were self-inflicted damage, later adding that there was "nothing to learn from Godse's organisation other than Hate."
Facing backlash, Digvijaya Singh later clarified his stance, insisting his remarks were misunderstood. "I was, am and will be a trenchant critic of the RSS and Modi," he said, while reiterating, "I am opposed to the ideology of the RSS… But I admire their organisational capacity."
The episode has laid bare ongoing debates within the grand old party about its structure, discipline, and strategy as it navigates a challenging political landscape on its 140th anniversary.
