Movie Reference Becomes Political Reality:-
In the movie Dulhe Raja, Kader Khan asks Johnny Lever, whose side are you on? Johnny Lever says Sir I am on your side. He says, hey you are on my side, then where is your finger? I am not saying sir, the finger is there but the heart is towards you. Look Bhaiya, that line in the movie was making people laugh but when it became a reality in politics, it is raising questions because in today’s politics, it perfectly suits Shashi Tharoor. Shashi Tharoor is an MP on Congress ticket. But the statement and stance is such that the applause from BJP is not stopping. Shashi Tharoor had once called PM Modi a scorpion sitting on a Shivling. But today for Congress, he is the same scorpion who is sitting on Shivling. As if Congress can neither remove him nor ignore him completely.
Tharoor: A Congress MP with BJP Applause:-
To explain it in simpler terms, Tharoor saheb is a proud person of BJP despite being in Congress. And the Congress to which Tharoor belongs is extremely helpless regarding him. Congress understands that Shashi Roor is an asset to Oxford but the direction in which he has moved forward and the way he has moved forward is also a challenge for the future. On the other hand, BJP is completely elated. Two targets have been hit with one arrow. Shashi Tharoor has also been given a new name. He is saying that he is not from IAC, he is from IAS, Shashi Tharoor.
Oxford’s Asset, Congress’s Dilemma, BJP’s Gain:-
Shashi Tharoor, Indian Nationalist Spokesperson. But the question is why so much fuss about the Oxford scholar? And where is he? And why is all this discussion happening in the middle of a war ? Let us explain. Tharoor Sahab’s story is that on May 17, the Modi government selected seven leaders from different parties to represent India before the world to expose Operation Sindoor and Pakistan. The leadership of one of these delegations has been given to Shashi Tharoor. But the twist in the story came when Congress said that brother, we had not even given the name of our leader whom you are taking. Actually BJP asked Congress to give the name.
The Operation Sindoor Twist:-
Congress gave names but those names were of Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Syed Naseer Hussain and Raja Brar. Tharoor’s name was not given but Modi sahib sent him as captain. Now Congress is saying why did you ask for the name from us ? Is this a prank? We were not sending Tharoor at all. But Tharoor Sahib is saying thank you Modi ji. The Indian Government has given us this honour. This is not the time to about party things. This is about talking about the country. Anyway, now he is IAS Tharoor. Tharoor of IAC will be there later. But the controversy raised many questions. Question number one: Why did Congress not name Shashi Tharoor Sahib ? He is a capable man. Secondly, if the Modi government was working with the opposition, then why did it choose Tharoor over the name given by the Congress? Third, who benefits from this which is going on? Who benefits, BJP or Tharoor? Why was Tharoor chosen ? Now look, Shashi Tharoor is not an ordinary man.
Congress Snubbed, BJP Smiled:-
Both the ruling party and the opposition know this. From 1978 to 2007, i.e. from 1978 to 2007, he has worked on important positions in the United Nations. Shashi Tharoor’s English is such that without opening the dictionary, you and cannot understand his four lines.Apart from this, Shashi Tharoor is an expert in diplomacy. He presents his point very well and his presence of mind is amazing. He is good at making sarcastic remarks. Overall, he is a capable man and if he represents India then India’s honour will be in safe hands. Now Tharoor, who recently praised Operation Sindoor. He had described the actions of the government and the army as restrained and accurate. That was slightly different from the stand of Congress.
Tharoor’s Praise for Operation Sindoor Raised Eyebrows:-
Meaning, Congress was not praising as much as Shashi Tharoor was doing. Tharoor Sahib was showing that now is the time for the country and not for the party. Modi Saheb was also liking this thing. That is why when Congress sent names, Tharoor ‘s name was left among the names. Now BJP was afraid of the names of Congress because the names sent by Congress are those who often speak against the Modi government. It came to light that Modi ji sent these four people to go and strengthen us and India and these four people went and one of them quietly said something which caused trouble for the BJP. This confidence that BJP has about Tharoor Sahab is because whatever Tharoor Sahab is saying seems like he is being said by a BJP person and this is where the whole controversy begins. Those who understand politics believe that by choosing Tharoor, the BJP has hit two birds with one stone. Shashi Tharoor has a global image. Took advantage of it.
Congress’s Internal Discomfort Grows:-
Secondly, uneasiness regarding Tharoor increased within the Congress as well. What mean to say is that brother we took the leader of Congress and also told the Congress to agree to him otherwise we will take him back. This problem has occurred. Why is Congress helpless? Congress was helpless because it did not name Shashi Tharoor. Now the question started on this also that why did you not give the name? Tharoor sahab is a powerful leader. Speaks good English. He has credibility on international forums. The world knows him. Presence of mind is good. After all this, was it a mistake on the part of Congress not to send him? But the problem is that this is not Congress’s mistake.
A Calculated Two-Bird Strategy by BJP:-
For some time now, the relationship between Congress and Shashi Tharoor is like Pulse Toffee. Some are sour, some are sweet. We will also explain to you where it is sour and where it is sweet. The election for the post of Congress President was being held in 2022. Mallikarjun Kharge contests the election. Shashi Tharoor also arrives. But the Gandhi family goes towards Mallikarjun Kharge and from there Shashi Tharoor was sidelined a bit. Now perhaps this thing struck Tharoor Sahib’s heart and since then his attitude has changed. In simple words, he wanted to say that if it comes to principles, then it is necessary to fight and if there is something inside a person, then it is necessary to show it. Now Tharoor is a face who is popular not only in Kerala but also in the country and abroad.
Congress’s Past Sidelining of Tharoor:-
He is a four-time MP from Trivandrum. He has a fan following pan India. If he gets angry and leaves the party, then questions may be raised on the Gandhi family. Secondly, letting go of a leader like Tharoor would be a foolish move. Now the question arises whether Tharoor Sahab’s inclination is towards BJP? Well if you listen to his statements from the past few times, then behind this IAS Tharoor that we are talking about, it seems that Tharoor Sahib has also given convenience to BJP. Let me give some examples. Now like Operation Sindoor, Shashi Tharoor described Operation Sindoor as a restrained and precise action. This was when it was questioned by the Congress. Especially after the ceasefire, when big questions were being raised on the Modi government, whatever Shashi Tharoor said at that time was like a balm for the Modi government. Owaisi also supported him in this, Omar Abdullah also supported him and many other leaders also supported him. But today we are specifically talking about Tharoor. Second, when Modi Sahib went to America in February 2025.
Tharoor’s Subtle Threat to Congress:-
When met Trump, also praised him. Congress was also cornering the government over the F35 deal. But Tharoor ‘s stand was different. While praising the foreign policy regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, he said that Modi ji maintained balanced relations. So it appears that Tharoor’s stand has been different for some time now. Like BJP calls itself the pride of nationalist India and such things happen. The words coming out of Tharoor Sahib are similar to the tone of BJP and that is why whatever is happening with BJP these days. This story is ongoing.
But the question is whether this inclination of Shashi Tharoor Sahib is towards BJP or something else? Now, people who are knowledgeable about politics say that the statement made by Tharoor Sahib is not entirely in favour of BJP. A case is currently going on in the country. So leaders like Shashi Tharoor, Owaisi, Omar Abdullah are moving beyond party politics. Just like Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sahib had done once upon a time. Whether it was during the Narasimha Rao government or the governments before that, there was about the country beyond the ruling party and the opposition.
Statements That Raised Speculation:-
So Tharoor Sahab, think beyond party lines and About the country, just like Owaisi said that I am not representing AIMIM. I am representing India. The language will be different in representing AIMIM. The language will be different in India. Shashi Tharoor is also doing the same. So this is one story. That is why whatever he is saying repeatedly, it is for India’s policies. So this is not a praise for BJP. This is a compliment for India. But yes, it is definitely true that when he says these things, he makes his party uncomfortable. Is this a tilt towards BJP? You can’t say this. In a way it is also possible that Congress may respect me. Now many people might be saying, no sir, you are wrong. Shashi Tharoor wants to go towards BJP. You should see all the statements that are coming. Yes brother, it is feeling like this today but you are only seeing today’s statement of Shashi Tharoor. We are also keeping in mind the words of Shashi Tharoor in history.
A Pattern or Political Maturity?:-
Like BJP took the opportunity today and said that Tharoor is a nationalist. The country is a fool. But Tharoor Sahib has given many statements on BJP. For example. In 2018, Shashi Tharoor had called Prime Minister Modi a scorpion sitting on a Shivling. It was said sarcastically and a sense of humor was shown in a sarcastic manner but the scorpion sitting on the Shivling was quite controversial and many legal cases were filed regarding it, there was a lot of controversy and a lot of drama. Secondly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had once taunted Shashi Tharoor’s wife Sunanda Pushkar about having a girlfriend worth Rs 50 crore. That was a very controversial matter. Girlfriend worth 50 crores. Shashi Tharoor had called it below the belt politics and after that there was a lot of controversy. Third, in 2022, when the Nupur Sharma incident happened on Prophet Mohammad, Shashi Tharoor had criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence. Said that it is not right for the PM to be silent at such a time. Due to this, our relations with the countries in the Gulf may deteriorate. In fact, when the results came in 2024, Tharoor had said that the voters rejected the hate speeches of Modi and especially regarding the comments on Muslims in Banswara, he said that see, BJP lost there. So Shashi Tharoor has a lot of things in his baggage. It is not that Shashi Tharoor has said everything good. Behind what he is saying today, we will have to remember the history as well.
Not a BJP Man — Yet:-
There is a war going on right now, so what Owaisi is saying, what Omar Abdullah is saying , what Shashi Tharoor is saying is a different issue. But the big question is, is Tharoor leaning towards BJP? Then am saying that all the political experts we talked to said that Tharoor’s praise is not for BJP but for the policies of India. But if you look at it from a political angle, it is more meant to trouble the Congress than joining the BJP. So if you have a question in your mind whether Tharoor will join BJP? Is this possible? Because many things are pointing towards it. So many experts believe this. Many say they will not go. The reason for those who are talking about not going is that Kharge Sahab was given priority in 2022 and that had created bitterness. Now Tharoor wants to see himself as the next Chief Minister of Kerala.
Future Moves: Rajya Sabha, Kerala CM, or Independent Path?:-
If this does not happen in Congress, then we can find a new way. But will he be able to become the Chief Minister from BJP in Kerala? Right now the chances seem less. BJP wants to strengthen itself in Kerala. In 2024, BJP’s Rajeev Chandrashekhar also gave a tough fight. BJP may benefit but it seems difficult for Tharoor to benefit. Secondly, Tharoor’s ideology is a bit liberal, secular and inclusive. The ideology of BJP is Hindutva. And Tharoor in his book also said that RSS’s Hindutva is different from real Hinduism. In such a situation, will he join BJP? I do n’t know why it is difficult after making so many ideological compromises. And as we said, BJP is weak in Kerala. That is Shashi Tharoor’s state. Although Shashi Tharoor had said last time that it was his last election. In such a situation, Rajya Sabha could be an option. But if he wants to continue politics from Kerala, as he has made public. So Tharoor will not make the mistake of joining BJP. He would probably want to make a place in Kerala politics by staying in Congress. The road will be tough for him in BJP.
Congress Must Wake Up Before It’s Too Late:-
However, if they have this in them that talent meets opportunity, BJP has the resources. We can do something together. You never know. But the statements made by Tharoor Sahib at the moment show that he wants to strengthen his strength in the Congress. He wants to give a message that Congress cannot ignore him. He has his own personality, his own stand. He takes advantage of his popularity and global image to prepare the ground for his future politics. In this case, it may be difficult to join BJP. You might have to increase your value in Congress. It seems he wants Congress to take him more seriously. Give them more opportunities which they are not getting. But all these things have made this politics interesting. You that just like Covid had changed many scenarios, similarly many scenarios have changed here too. Many leaders changed the dynamics of Indian politics including Omar Abdullah Sahib. Owaisi is there. Similarly, Shashi Tharoor is currently at such a juncture in Indian politics where he is both a golden egg and a headache for the Congress.
Conclusion: Finger Points to Congress, Heart Follows Ambition:-
He is a shining star for BJP but his old statements are like poison also. Tharoor’s presence in the delegation and the uproar over it also makes it clear that he is not just an MP. There is political power. He wants to stay in Congress and play on his own terms. But if Congress ignores him, he is not short of options. Joining BJP may not be on his list. But there can definitely be a big explosion in the politics of Kerala. And then the same story that Johnny Lever told. The finger is here but the heart is here. Tharoor’s finger might be pointing towards the Congress, but his heart today is towards his ambitions in politics. Tharoor Sahib wants to know what his next move will be. But for now, we will tell Tharoor Sahib that Sir, politics will continue. At present, go and fulfill the responsibility that has been entrusted to you in the interest of the country and make Pakistan very rich at the global level. All the best IAS Shashi Tharoor.