New Delhi, November 10, 2025: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s birthday wishes for BJP veteran LK Advani have once again put him at the center of a political storm, drawing sharp reactions from both his own party and the BJP. Tharoor’s effusive praise for the 98-year-old leader and former Deputy Prime Minister, paired with a broader defence of his political career, has provided the ruling party with fresh ammunition to attack the Congress, while also triggering internal criticism.

BJP Hits Back

Responding to Tharoor’s message, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla lashed out at the Congress, alleging intolerance within the party. “The Congress party should rename itself from ‘Indian National Congress’ to ‘Indira Nazi Congress,’ because this is Indira Gandhi’s Emergency mindset and a Nazi way of behaving,” Poonawalla said on November 10.

The BJP leader’s remark came after the Congress sought to distance itself from Tharoor’s comments, stating that he was speaking in a personal capacity. Congress publicity department chief Pawan Khera tweeted: “That [Shashi Tharoor] continues to do so as a Congress MP and CWC member reflects the essential democratic and liberal spirit unique to INC.”

However, Poonawalla dismissed this clarification, calling it an example of the Congress’s alleged “intolerance” toward acts of political courtesy. “We all maintain such political courtesies in public life, and yet for this, they issued a fatwa against him,” he told ANI. “For Congress, any rival is treated like an enemy.”

Tharoor’s Past Praises for the Current Government

This is not the first time Tharoor has courted controversy within his party for commending leaders or actions outside the Congress fold. Poonawalla highlighted instances where Tharoor had previously supported policies or decisions of the current government, or voiced criticism of Congress leaders.

Referring to the 2024 Operation Sindoor, Poonawalla said Tharoor had dismissed US claims of brokering peace between India and Pakistan, instead asserting India’s autonomy in handling its diplomatic affairs. The BJP spokesperson also cited Tharoor’s writings that critiqued dynastic politics, particularly pointing to the Nehru-Gandhi family as an example, which Poonawalla claimed had irked Congress leadership.

“This is not the first time Mr. Tharoor has spoken in favour of India and in ways that do not align with Congress narratives. And now they have castigated him just for a simple birthday wish,” Poonawalla said, framing the issue as emblematic of Congress intolerance.

What Tharoor Said About Advani

Tharoor’s birthday message praised Advani’s decades-long political career while acknowledging the complexity of his legacy. The former Deputy PM is widely remembered for leading the Rath Yatra in 1990, a political campaign that mobilized support for the construction of a Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. The Rath Yatra, and its aftermath following the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition, has long been considered a turning point in Indian politics, contributing to the BJP’s eventual rise to power.

Tharoor’s stance, however, focused on the broader arc of Advani’s career rather than defining him by one controversial incident. He emphasized that the Rath Yatra should not overshadow the contributions of a political life spanning decades, which included serving as Home Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and a key figure in India’s parliamentary politics.

In defending his comments amid criticism, Tharoor also invoked historical context, citing India’s 1962 war setback with China and the Emergency imposed under Indira Gandhi as factors that shaped the nation’s political trajectory. His argument suggested that historical events and decisions cannot be viewed in isolation, and that a leader’s entire career must be taken into account before forming judgments.

Social Media Reactions

Tharoor’s post triggered a wave of reactions on social media, ranging from support to sharp criticism. Some users appreciated his attempt to take a balanced view of Advani’s political contributions, while others accused him of diminishing the significance of the Rath Yatra and its consequences. The controversy quickly became fodder for political debate, highlighting the enduring sensitivity surrounding historical political events and the deep partisan divides that persist in India.

Political Implications

The episode has broader implications for intra-party dynamics and the opposition’s public image. Tharoor, a high-profile Congress MP and former diplomat, has often been perceived as a maverick within the party, unafraid to voice independent opinions. His praise of a BJP stalwart underscores the tensions between individual expression and party loyalty in India’s highly polarized political environment.

For the BJP, the incident provided an opportunity to reinforce its narrative of Congress intolerance and to frame the opposition as being rigid and inflexible. Poonawalla’s remarks directly linked the Congress’s criticism of Tharoor to a broader “politically correct” culture that allegedly stifles independent thought and cross-party recognition.

Conclusion

Shashi Tharoor’s birthday wishes for LK Advani have thus become a focal point for debates on political courtesy, historical interpretation, and party loyalty. While the Congress stresses that Tharoor was speaking in a personal capacity, the BJP has seized the moment to attack the opposition’s perceived intolerance, drawing historical parallels to the Emergency era.

For Tharoor, the controversy underscores his position as a thoughtful yet sometimes polarizing figure within Indian politics—one who seeks to recognize contributions across party lines while navigating the sensitivities of history and contemporary political allegiance. The episode also serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of historical political events, such as the Rath Yatra and the Emergency, on present-day political discourse in India.

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