Shashi Tharoor mocks the dysfunctional Delhi airport when receiving the prime minister in Kerala.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is once again in the news due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement made during the opening of the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala today. The Prime Minister mentioned Mr. Tharoor by name and implied that some people would find it “disturbing their sleep” that the Congress MP was attending the event.
“Shashi Tharoor is seated here today. Some people’s sleep will be disturbed by today’s show. The message has gone wherever it had to go.” PM Modi said from the dais.
The Prime Minister’s direct mention of Mr. Tharoor, a Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram who has served four terms, represents a unique instance of cross-party public recognition. The comments come after weeks of growing conjecture on Mr. Tharoor’s position inside the Congress party, particularly in Kerala, where he has increasingly portrayed his status as separate from the state leadership of the party.
Despite experiencing flight delays because of what he described as the “dysfunctional” status of Delhi’s airport, Mr. Tharoor’s choice to personally greet Prime Minister Modi at the Thiruvananthapuram airport was not overlooked. On social media, a picture of Mr. Tharoor welcoming the prime minister has gone viral.
Shashi Tharoor wrote on X,
the website that was once known as Twitter, “despite delays at the dysfunctional Delhi airport, managed to land in Thiruvananthapuram in time to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival in my constituency.”
I arrived in Thiruvananthapuram in time to greet Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he arrived in my constituency, despite delays at the broken Delhi airport. Anticipating his formal commissioning of Vizhinjam Port, a project I’ve been proud to
When Mr. Tharoor joined PM Modi, there was a lot of talk about his relationship with his party’s leadership, especially in Kerala. Mr. Tharoor has been vocal in recent months about his displeasure with what he describes as a “leadership vacuum” in the state Congress unit.
Although no specific results have been made public, he has also lately met with prominent Congressmen, such as Rahul Gandhi, to discuss his future within the party.
Recently appointed BJP Kerala unit chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar commended Mr. Tharoor in March of this year for his remarks recognizing India’s vaccine diplomacy and the government’s handling of the Russia-Ukraine dispute.
They have gained enlightenment,” Mr. Chandrasekhar said, expressing gratitude to Mr. Tharoor and other Congressmen for acknowledging the accomplishments of the Modi administration.
Additionally, he recalled other compliments from Mr. Tharoor, including calling PM Modi a “much tougher negotiator” in response to remarks made by US President Donald Trump. A “better late than never,” Mr. Chandrasekhar continued.
In his magazine essay on India’s vaccine diplomacy, Mr. Tharoor did not specifically mention PM Modi, but his remarks were interpreted as implicit support. “India’s efforts were appreciated, enhancing its reputation as a responsible global leader,” he stated.
The central leadership of the Congress Party has made an effort to seem united. Rahul Gandhi recently posted a picture of Kerala Congress leaders standing together in silhouette, with what looks to be Mr. Tharoor’s outline included. He wrote, “They stand as one.”
For his part, Mr. Tharoor has continuously insisted that his comments have been misconstrued and that he is still dedicated to the objectives of the Congress party. However, he has left open “options” if the party determines it no longer requires his services.
The actual port event was well-publicized. The Vizhinjam International Seaport is one of India’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, with an estimated cost of Rs 8,867 crore. The port is positioned to become a vital transhipment hub in global marine trade and is being built by Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd under a public-private collaboration.
After arriving at the location via helicopter, PM Modi walked around the facilities while donning a hard hat and receiving an operational briefing.